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| A More Perfect Sacrifice by Cadi Nobles |
| Elisha was, as all the prophets of God were, truly sold out to his Creator. Even on his death bed, he spoke the commands of God. Joash, king of Israel, had come to weep for the passing of Elisha. In his pain, Elisha yielded his flesh to the will of God. He commanded Joash: “Take the arrows . . . Smite them upon the ground.” (2 Kings 13:18) It’s recorded that the king smote the arrows three times. Although the king obeyed the voice of the prophet, God was displeased with his sacrifice. The Bible tells that, “The man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” (2 Kings 13:19) Because of lack of effort in preforming the will of God, the king had won the battle, but lost the war. Abraham, the friend of God, had a son named Isaac. It had been given by promise that Isaac would father many nations and through his seed the Son of God would come forth; a Savior to all people. It was time for Isaac to have a wife. Abraham sent forth his servant into Mesopotamia to bring Isaac a wife of his kindred. It was there, at a well of water, that the servant prayed a prayer of prophecy. “Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac.” (Gen. 24:14) God was looking for someone that had the heart to give more than she was asked. Before the servant finished his prayer, Rebekah came to the well. When he asked her for a drink, she “hasted . . . . and gave him drink.” (Gen. 24:18) It is written that after the servant had drunk, she said, “I will draw water for thy camels also.”(Gen. 24:19) The next verse records that she “hasted . . . . and drew for all his camels.”(Gen.24:20) Her heart to serve willingly was a sacrifice well-pleasing, acceptable to God, a sweet-smelling savor in His nostrils. God had found a wife for Isaac, and a mother of many nations. Too often, we, as Christians, lose much more than we realize because of lack of effort. Sometimes, the completion of a command given by God is not the only thing that He awaits to see. That smallest bit of extra effort could determine whether or not we win or lose the war. A thousand times you and I have been tried in ways similar to king Joash and Rebekah. Perhaps we felt led to check on an old friend; did we give a quick phone call, or did we go visit them? Were our sacrifices well-pleasing and acceptable? At sundry times and in divers manners, the Lord will try the hearts of His saints. There are many that obey His voice, but there are a select few that will offer a “more perfect” sacrifice. Let us therefore “be instant in season, out of season.” (2 Tim. 4:2) Hearing and doing, to the best of our ability, the commandments of the Most High God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
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