Daily Devotional
Willing Offerings Before God
The Lord who keeps Israel neither sleeps nor withdraws His rule when His people are troubled. In Deborah’s song, help came not from hills or princes, but from the Lord who marched forth and stirred a people to offer themselves willingly. In the psalm, the same Maker of heaven and earth keeps the foot from slipping. In Ezekiel, that same Lord opens the heavens to captives and shows His throne even in a foreign land. Therefore Paul does not bid us admire God from afar, but to come near as an offering.
Cyprian says, “that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. And be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2” This is the answer fitting for those who are kept by so great a Keeper: not sloth, not pride, not revenge, but a body given over to obedience.
Origen, speaking of Deborah’s song, says, “And the person who sings this ought to be a bee, whose product is used by kings and ordinary…” Let your life then be such a song: small in boasting, diligent in labor, useful to high and low. Bless those who persecute you. Give to the needs of the saints. Practice hospitality. Refuse the world’s vanity by patience in tribulation, steadfast prayer, and humble service according to the measure given you.
The throne Ezekiel saw is not shaken by exile, and the Keeper of Israel does not fail in the night. Since God reigns, let the Christian be found awake, obedient, and ready to spend himself for the brethren.
“that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. And be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2”
— Cyprian, Epistles
“Even your own Ezekiel writes, saying, 'The heavens were opened, and I saw a vision of God.'”
— Origen, Against Celsus
For Reflection & Discussion
What one bodily habit of obedience will you offer this week at fixed cost to yourself—fasting, almsgiving, hospitality, or set hours of prayer—and when will you begin?
Whom will you bless instead of repay: what enemy, offender, or difficult neighbor will you pray for by name and address with peace this week?
Where are you being conformed to this world in speech, spending, pride, or resentment, and what concrete act of repentance will you make today?
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