Romans 12:1 ERV – ‘So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way.’
Deep spiritual truths are hidden in the stories of the Old Testament. The book of Judges, for example, tells of numerous times when Israel was ushered into bondage because of their unfaithfulness to God. Enemy nations would take over their land and oppress them severely.
On one such occasion in Judges chapter 11, Ammon waged war against Israel and Israel secured a miraculous victory by the help of God. Jephthah, the commander who led Israel to victory, made a promise to give the first thing that stepped out of his house to God. Unfortunately for him, his only daughter was the first person who stepped out of his house. Naturally, he was reluctant to release her but she possessed deep faith in God.
Judges 11:35-37 ERV – ‘Then his daughter said to Jephthah, “Father, you have made a promise to the Lord, so keep your promise. Do what you said you would do. After all, the Lord did help you defeat your enemies, the Ammonites.” Then Jephthah’s daughter said to her father, “But do this one thing for me first. Let me be alone for two months. Let me go to the mountains. I will not marry and have children, so let me and my friends go and cry together.”’
Because of God’s great mercy in delivering Israel from the oppression of the Ammonites, she was ready to live the rest of her as a sacrifice to God. In effect, from that day on, her life no longer belonged to her but to God.
Judges 11:39 ERV – ‘At the end of two months, Jephthah’s daughter returned to her father, and Jephthah did what he had promised. His daughter never had sexual relations with anyone. So this became a custom in Israel.’
In view of God’s kindness, she said bye to her friends and family and died a virgin. This concept is similar to what God has done for us. As new testament believers, God has saved us from the wickedness of sin and Satan by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He has bought us by His blood and in view of His mercies, we are to present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice. Because He died for us, we are not to live for ourselves any longer but for Him who loved us and died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ERV – ‘The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died. He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him.’
Beginning today, present yourself afresh to God with a new dedication to place Him first, forsake your past, and live a holy life. There is grace to do so.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for your mercies in Christ Jesus. I pray that beginning today, you will give me the grace to deny myself and live a life that is obedient and pleasing to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.