Lay It All Down

But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for Yahweh what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” – 1 Chronicles 21:24

King David, in obedience to God's command, chose Araunah's threshing floor as the site for the construction of a Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. When the owner learned of David's decision, he was more than happy to donate the land, but David insisted on paying full price for it. Out of reverence for God, David would not offer to God that which cost him nothing.

David's actions raise some serious questions in my own heart. Have I ever backed away from paying the full price of obedience and worship to the Lord? Have I ever said that I would not pay what it appeared was required, but allowed others to pay in my stead?

The content of my worship communicates what I consider to be the worth of its aim. In other words, my worship of God (how I practice it) indicates what He is worth to me. I may say, "I worship Jesus," but what do my actions say about His true worth to me? What have I truly given up for Him? What have I withheld?

Oh, Lord, help me to lay it all down.

When we worship God as we ought that's when the nations listen. – Edmund Clowney