Weekly Devotional, November 20, 2023
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
God’s pattern for holy living is not that different between the Old and New Testament. For example, the book of Exodus talks about God redeeming His people, Israel, while the book of Leviticus talks about how they are to serve Him once they have been set free. No less is true in the New Testament. Through Christ we are delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of light. Next, we are taught how to live as children of God. So in both cases, we are redeemed first, or set free … to serve. We’re not just saved ‘from’, we’re saved ‘for.’
The first way that God wanted His people to serve Him was by thanking Him. Therefore, the first three offerings listed in the book of Leviticus were considered the right way to say ‘thank you’ to God for blessing them. They were called Thank Offerings. They were not offerings of sin, but of gratitude. If we feel grateful to God then He wants us to say ‘thank you.’
As we enter into the week of Thanksgiving, it’s important to remember that offering a ‘sacrifice of thanksgiving’ is central to our worship, which is why it is still called, a sacrifice. The Hebrew word for sacrifice is korban, which comes from a root that means ‘draw near.’ For followers of Christ this means that when we offer a sacrifice, whether it be a sacrifice of praise, prayer or thanksgiving, we ‘draw near’ to God. The Psalmist offered a ‘sacrifice of thanksgiving’ in Psalm 116:17. Jonah offered a ‘sacrifice of thanksgiving’ in Jonah 2:9. And Paul exhorted followers to ‘abound in thanksgiving’ for having received Christ, in Colossians 2:6-7.
Perhaps we approach this week of ‘thankfulness’ as a way to ‘draw near’ to God. Thank Him for the talents, abilities and natural gifts you were given in order to accomplish your unique mission. Thank Him for the people in your life who help shape you. Or, like the Israelites coming out of Egypt, offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving for nothing else, except for having been set free.
It is only because of Christ Jesus that we will never be holding an empty cup.
In Christ,
Carole
Take a moment to offer a sacrifice of praise with a worship song about Thankfulness: "Thank You Jesus for the Blood"
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