“Give
of your best to the Master,”
We
sang when I was a teen.
This
is the verse that reminds me
Exactly
what that can mean.
Mary
gave extravagantly
Because
she loved her Lord
Even
before he raised her brother
From
death by the power of His word.
Jesus does not demand
things from us – He wants our all, our entire being surrendered to Him.
However, we often feel such an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love that we
desire to give Him the most valuable item we have. Abraham was willing to
sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, on the altar at God’s command. Joseph the
dreamer continued to be faithful to the Lord after being thrown into a pit by
his brothers, and God used him to save the Israelites from famine. Moses took
on Pharaoh at the age of eighty when the Lord commanded him to leave his new
life to deliver His people. Hannah gave her firstborn son to work in the temple
alongside Eli out of gratitude that the Lord opened her womb. Hosea was willing
to ruin his reputation when the Lord told him to marry Gomer the prostitute in
order to be a picture of God’s love for us. Esther risked her position as queen
and her very life in order to save the Jews, God’s people. Mary submitted to God
when Gabriel gave her the message that she would be the mother of the Messiah.
Joseph married Mary who was pregnant with Jesus disregarding what their
neighbors would think of the two of them and the gossip they surely would
spread. The apostles left everything, their businesses and their families, to
follow Jesus and become His ambassadors to spread the Gospel. Mary of Bethany gave the most expensive thing
she owned to honor Jesus before His death on the cross. Throughout history,
God’s people have sacrificed to show how deeply they love God. Is there
something you need to lay on the altar to be used by God for His glory. If so,
do not hesitate. The reward may not be immediate or even on this side of
Heaven, but God sees and knows your heart.
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