How do you respond when someone is offering mercy to you if they have hurt you? Are we quick to accept an apology and quick to forgive?
There are several types of offerings. In the Old Testament, “Each day one leader from the tribes was to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.” (Numbers 7: 11)
God had just proclaimed a blessing to His people, so they offer gifts to Him in twelve sequential days of celebrative pageantry. One by one, each leader of each tribe brought the collected gifts to the altar. Moses was to accept these offerings from them to be used in the work of the Tent of Meeting. The items they brought were a silver plate, a silver sprinkling bowl filled with flour and oil, a gold dish filled with incense, and some animals for the sacrifices. They were corporately collected to help with the dedication of the Tabernacle.
- Our offerings are seen by God. How we release them is important.
- Corporate collection is used for the work of the Lord.
How we journey through life can make all the difference. The writer of Ecclesiastes is asking how long a man lives in enjoying his life. He then says, “Do not all go to the same place? (Ecclesiastes 6: 6)
The question he is asking is, still in terms of what he is observing, that all men die. He does not see what lies beyond death. He does not see that our lives are to be an offering to the Lord.
- God calls this person a fool who forgets this truth.
- God wants us to make wise use of our time.
- He wants us to see our lives to be an offering to Him. “Jesus gave Himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5: 2) Our lives, IN HIM, do the same.
Our life is not meaningless, it’s meaningful. If you are having trouble and not feeling useful, ask the Lord to, “Give me revelation about the meaning of your ways so I can enjoy the reward of following them fully.” (Psalm 119: 33) Working for the Lord has rewards and meaning! His ways are not our ways.
Jesus tells us a parable about rewards and servanthood. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.” (Matthew 18: 23) Since he wasn’t able to pay the debt, the “Master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” (Matthew 18: 27)
This whole parable began when Peter asked Jesus a question, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18: 21-22) That means unlimited times!
Offering forgiveness to one another is part of offering our lives unto the Lord. Learning to respond quickly to forgive, releases grace back to us, when we need it. Each time we forgive, our account is settled. Perhaps that’s why Jesus told us to, “Settle matters quickly…” (Matthew 5: 25)
Offering mercy to another is offering mercy to God.
(Numbers 7-8, Ecclesiastes 6, Matthew 18: 21-35, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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