Sacrifice

PRAYER PRACTICE

Pray out loud for God to speak to you through your reading. Thank God for giving us His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Hebrews 11:17-19

REFLECTION

by Katie Borden

Resurrection.

The more I read today’s passage, the more I’m overcome with the power of resurrection.

Aaron preached a few weeks ago from the Genesis text where the events that are referenced in this Hebrews passage are first introduced in Scripture. He reminded us that much of what we see happening here is a testament to the sacrifice that God made for us of his one and only Son, who was resurrected and who lives eternally. Thanks be to God!

But before we talk any more about resurrection, we have to talk a little bit about death, for resurrection does not come without a death first.

So let’s talk about sacrifice.

Sacrifice is often messy. It’s painful. That’s been true for a long time. In Abraham’s day, sacrifice meant something (or someone) had to die.

I think that is still true today, though the death may look a little bit different. Rather than laying down animals on an altar of stone, we find ourselves putting to death desires or dreams that may seem good in and of themselves, but are not what the Lord has in mind for us. 

Real talk: I kind of despise sacrifice. Experiencing the dashing of dreams and the letting-go of loves is heart-wrenching and painful. But as I’ve laid relationships and careers and finances upon the altar of my heart, I’ve found that what I’m left with is Jesus. Not the anxiety of figuring out how to cling to the things I feared losing, but rather the presence of the One who allays all fears and brings more life and love and hope into my life than any of those things could possibly bring. The things that will suck life from me are put to death, and in their place I am granted the life-giving presence of the resurrected Jesus. What a move from death to life!

Now, if you or I had to make these sacrifices by our own power, we’d be sunk. The cost to our fleshly selves just seems too great, doesn’t it? But thanks be to God that his Spirit moves us toward life and works this life-giving faith in us, just as he did in Abraham. The Spirit of the Lord equipped Abraham to trust that God is always, always, always, ALWAYS faithful, and the promise we have of life in the Spirit is the most trustworthy and true gift we can receive.

Lord, grant us faith by Your Spirit to surrender the things that will put us to death, and instead open our hands to receive life in You.

Prosperity and Peace

DAILY READING

Deuteronomy  15:1-6

REFLECTION

Prosperity and Peace

by Judy Webb

I need to confess upfront that when I read these six verses for this daily reading I flinched. First off, I knew I needed to research and see just what this section is about. I am familiar with the Jubilee season, as a number of years ago it was our (UALC’s) focus. It was during this time I learned about the value of paying off debts and even more so, the value of not acquiring debt in the first place. It was during this season our congregation paid off a huge loan, making us debt-free.

A few years after this lesson, I took a class on gaining financial independence, called “Financial Peace.” I still live by the principals taught during this course. As I read up on this chapter of Leviticus in a commentary I learned even more about the practice and importance of gaining financial peace and independence.

“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is done: every creditor shall cancel every loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall require payment from anyone from among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.” (Deuteronomy 15:1-2)

This was a common practice; money was always loaned with the understanding that in seven years the debt would be canceled. So, there would be no long-term debt. As Israel obeyed this command, there would never be a permanent under-class in Israel. Ingenious! While some may have periods of misfortune, there was always to opportunity to rebuild financially on a regular basis.

While this is not widely practiced today, these principles of obtaining financial peace are important. It is the way we control our desires for more. It is how we learn to be content with what God has provided, and in turn practicing generosity toward others. “For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised…”(verse 6a)

PRAYER PRACTICE

Dear Jesus, Show me how to practice this sort of financial well-being. Bless the fruits of this effort with a generous spirit and a peace-filled life.

DAILY READING

Leviticus 27:1-25

REFLECTION

Deal or No Deal

by Judy Webb

Vow: a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment; to dedicate or devote by a vow.

Our reading today in Leviticus can be confusing, or one could simply dismiss it as not applicable to us today. The lesson is about redeeming a promise or pledge to God. Have you ever found yourself in a desperate situation and attempted to barter, or bargain with God? How many of us have cried out to God words like: "Lord, if you will get me out of this situation, if you will only make the cancer go away, if you will provide the money I need, I will …" Fill in the blank. Likely we didn't really mean to strike up a deal with God, but we didn't know how else to fix the situation. 

Making a vow to God was common practice years ago. Faithful believers of God often showed their love and devotion by offering up their belongings or dedicating a person to the Lord. In 1st Samuel we read about Hannah, Samuel's mother. She had been unable to conceive because "the Lord had closed her womb." (1 Samuel 1:5) When she finally conceived and gave birth to Samuel she told her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always." (v.22)

There are other vows that were made with evil intent or self-serving motive. In the book of Judges 11:30-31 we witness such a vow. "Whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. Unfortunately for Jephthah, it was his only child who appeared at the door. 

Praying to God his mercy and his help is different from making a vow. Especially when our vows are more of a bargain. We think we are striking a deal with God. When we have faith in God and believe that he wants the best for us, we only need to pray and trust that his will be done.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Dear Lord, give me the faith to pray and trust that you hear my plea. Your will is more important than my desire. Help me to realize that you only want what is best for me and those I love. Give me a heart to grasp that you see the big picture, and I don't. I will trust and obey you. Amen.

Reward for Obedience and God's Commands

Dear Readers, We want to let you know that we are moving to a new platform. Your morning reflections can now be found here. You can sign up to have them emailed to you each day, just like you do now on this site. Again, the new platform is located on the UALC website. (https://www.ualc.org/dailyworship) Contact Judy Webb if you have questions (judithannie.webb@gmail.com). This is the last day for fresh new content.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Leviticus 26:1-13

REFLECTION

Reward for Obedience and God's Commands

by Tom Richards

Today’s reading is from the book of Leviticus. My study bible says “Exodus gave the directions for building the tabernacle, and now Leviticus gives the laws and regulations for worship there including instructions on ceremonial cleanness, moral laws, holy days, the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee”. The theme of Leviticus is holiness. We read about holiness in Leviticus 20:7 and several other places. “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.  Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord who makes you holy.”

With this background, our assigned reading highlights two of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus chapter 20). The First Commandment as stated in the Lutheran Catechism is “You shall have no other gods.” The Third Commandment is “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” 

I have often thought that if we could keep the First Commandment we could probably do well with the remaining nine. The Jews had a problem with idolatry throughout their history. The story of the golden calf found in Exodus 32 is an example. However, don’t we have the same problem today? Money, career, recreation, self … all have a way of becoming “gods” in our life and inevitably, sin follows. 

And what about the Third Commandment? In Exodus 31:12, we read “Then the Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, you must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy".  Observing the Sabbath seems to align with “You shall have no other gods.” When we take time to honor God with worship and rest on Sundays, aren’t we stopping our pursuit of other gods?  Isn’t this a way to show others and ourselves that God is important enough to be our top priority --- that we have “no other gods”?

God called the Israelites to obedience to these commandments because it was for their best.  The remainder of our reading focuses on the blessings that resulted from this obedience. He does the same for us. We may not always see “rain in its season” from an earthly perspective, but clearly demonstrating obedience to God’s commands leads us to our best life, and most importantly, a closer walk with him. 

Father, thank-you for direction in our lives through your commandments. We know that we can never meet the requirements of the law through our own efforts, but because of Jesus, we are justified and holy in your eyes. What an incredible blessing!  Amen