The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 May 2024 – Sacrificial Service
TOPIC: Sacrificial Service
READ: Philippians 2: 17-18 (NKJV)
- Yes, and if I am being poured out [as a drink offering] on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
- For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
THE MESSAGE:
In our text today, Paul talks about himself being poured, which we can view to mean “to be offered as a libation or what is known as drink offering.” This refers to Paul’s sacrificial ministry among the Philippian church by showing them the light of salvation through the testimony about the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The drink offering simply means the topping off of an ancient animal’s sacrifice (Exodus 39: 41).
The offerer would pour wine on top of the burning animal and the wine would vapourise. This was seen in the Philippians’ sacrificial services. Paul also saw them as converted Christians who offered their lives and everything they had sacrificially and faithfully to the service of God.
Today, we know as Christians that many challenges can appear in the journey to our heavenly home. Sometimes, the race may seem too difficult to run; situations around us may attempt to push us off the track. However, as Christians, all we need to do is to keep focusing on the Lord our Saviour and not give room for weariness and tiredness, whatever the nature of our commitment to God may be. Everything must be done unto him sacrificially.
Note that the only acceptable service unto God is the one done sacrificially and not for the sake of a reward.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to be totally committed to your service in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
