Daily Devotions
The Joy of Willing Sacrifice
Reading for May 7th: 1 Chronicles 27-29
Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
1 Chronicles 29:9
There are three descriptions of the kind of offering the people made to the temple.
1. It was given "willingly." They were not forced or compelled to give. It was their desire to do so.
2. It was given with a "whole heart." There was no hesitation. All of their being, their heart, their soul, and their mind was invested.
3. It was offered "freely."
The result of this was joy. They discovered the secret to true joy in life. It's not found in pleasing self. It's found in giving oneself wholly and completely to please God. Grudging sacrifice only leads to misery (see Mal 1:13). Willing sacrifice gives us true peace and joy in knowing that our Father approves.
Father, give us a willing mind to serve you sacrificially and freely so that we might come to know the joy of serving you!
