Scripture:
1 Chronicles 21:22-27 ESV
[22] And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” [23] Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.” [24] But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” [25] So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site. [26] And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. [27] Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.
Observation:
It was time to offer a sacrifice, and King David saw the angel of the LORD standing on the thrashing floor of Ornan with HIS sword drawn. Ready to continue carrying out what the father had told him to do. As David approached Ornan saw him coming and paid him the respect a king deserves. Kneeling with his face to the ground. David asked him about the thrashing floor and with loose hands he offered it to the king. Like any good subject would do. David’s response, however, was probably a little unexpected…no I will pay you for it, and pay you well. I can not offer a sacrifice that does not cost me something.
Application:
I had about half of a SOAP put together this morning when GOD said…nope not that one I want you to tell them to count the cost…wait you mean there is a cost where do I pay and how much is it? I got the opportunity a few years ago to read a book called “Not a Fan”. It’s a great book and if you have not had the opportunity to read it I would suggest you do. There seems to be a misconception about following Jesus. Oh, this is going to be painless or…wait all I do is confess with my mouth and that’s it… I’m in sign me up. We tend to glance over the importance of what it truly means to follow Jesus. We are to live in the world but not be of it. I never have been much of a sugar coater, and tend to just shoot it straight. A life of following Jesus comes at the cost of who you think you are. Have you ever had a dinner guest over, and found them snooping in your bedroom closet? Well to be honest neither have I. But I would find that a little strange wouldn’t you? However, let me tell you something. If you have in fact confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart. Get ready because Jesus is going to look in your bedroom closet…you know…the place you stuffed all the things you hadn’t gotten the opportunity to clean up before the guest of honor showed up. A sacrifice has a cost tied to it. Your salvation cost GOD everything. It will cost you your old self…and maybe some friends… quite possibly some family members, who won’t agree with you, and some things you like to do that will just not be ok anymore. I’m not here to fluff up the scriptures and make our hearts feel good although there is so much good to GOD it will always outnumber the cost. That cost is a refining process that may hurt…but will remove the sin in our lives. I don’t know about you but when the father looks at me I want HIM to see the reflection of HIS son.
Prayer:
Father, our cost is little compared to the price you paid. You gave it all. The least we can do is give up the life that is killing us. I can’t believe sometimes the things we want to hold on to. Things that are not good for us. You are so very good and the cost is well worth it. You are not just a dinner guest. You are the LORD of our lives. Let us act as though that is true. Help us to let go of our past selves and cling to the life you have built us for. You have made us for so much more than we allow ourselves to have, and all because we did not count the cost. Our debt has been paid in full. Let us live our lives like we have been set free from the bondage that sin had on our lives let us live for your glory. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray amen.