Contributed by Adam Gillespie
Is there something in your life that you hold dear to you that God is calling you to sacrifice on the altar? Or does something have you in chains that God wants to free you from? Well then, I encourage you to bring it to the mountain of sacrifice and leave it at the altar. God is waiting.
Genesis 22:2 He said “Take your sone your only son, whom you love, Yitz’Chak (Isaac)and go to the land of Moriah. There you are to offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will point to you.”
Abraham and Sarah were promised a child long ago. When they were past the years of Sarah to bear children, the promise came to fruition, and Isaac was born. The son of promise at the age of 13 God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to him on Mount Moriah the same place where Christ died on the cross for our sins.
Romans 4:3 For what does the Tanakh (scriptures) say? Abraham put his trust in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.
We too, if we put our complete trust in God his righteousness will be bestowed on us. Is God asking you to trust him to use you for his glory? Is he asking you to trust him when he says this job isn’t what you need right now? This relationship will only lead you away from me not towards me. Whatever struggle you are in right now take it to the mountain of sacrifice and put complete trust in God who knows what’s best for you.
Psalms 54:6-7
6. Then I will generously sacrifice to you; I will praise your name Adonai because it is good,
7. Because he rescued me from all trouble, and my eyes look with triumph at my enemies
David wrote this Psalm while being pursued by Saul and all his enemies. David knew God was still good and daily looked to praise his name. Even when all your enemies have surrounded you praise God and lift him up. Acknowledge that he will rescue you from all troubles. Sacrifice at the altar all fear and doubts.
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of Adonai, “Whom should I send? Who will go for us?” I answered, “I am here, send me!”
During this time the Northern and Southern Kingdoms were declining spiritually. Judgment was upon them. Isaiah set himself apart for God rather than fall into sin and be of service to God. Is God asking you who will go for me?
Ruth 1:16-17
16. But Ruth said, “Don’t press me to leave you and stop following you, for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.
17. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried May Adonai bring terrible curses on me and more as well if anything, but death separates you and me.
This is where Ruth who was a gentile became a Jew, Like Abraham forsakes her land her birthplace, and her father’s house to convert to the ways of God. God’s calling on our life requires much sacrifice. All you, all in for God?
Luke 9:23 Then to everyone he said, “If you anyone wants to come after me, let him say no to himself, stake up his execution stake daily and keep following me.
We must daily deny our flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to give us new Godly desires
The word cross in the Greek Strong’s 4716 says this: Crucifixion is metaphorically used of renunciation of the world, that characterizes the true Christian life.
Matthew 10:37 Whoever loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not worthy of me.
To be a true disciple of Christ one must always put him first even if it means losing relationships with family members. Being identified with Christ will come at a cost. Jesus must mean more to us as Christians than all other relationships.