Dedicate Everything to the Lord

Scripture: If anyone of the house of Israel slaughters an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or slaughters it outside the camp, and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, to present it as an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, he shall be held guilty of bloodshed; he has shed blood, and he shall be cut off from the people. This is in order that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and offer them as sacrifices of well-being to the Lord. The priest shall dash the blood against the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and turn the fat into smoke as a pleasing odor to the Lord. Leviticus 17:3-6

Observation: While there are all kinds of sacrifices discussed, the practice established in Leviticus 17 applies to all food. When an animal is butchered, the Israelites cannot do that just anywhere. They must bring the animal before the Lord. The priests will give a little sprinkle of blood, and burn the relatively worthless portions of the animal as a pleasing aroma. This isn't a sacrifice of offering. There is nothing of value the Israelites give to God in this process. This is just an act of dedicating the animal to the Lord.

This act of dedication thus acknowledges that the Lord is the provider of everything. He has given every bit of daily sustenance to his people. Some he receives back as an offering. Sometimes his people give more as a way of atoning for sin. However, when nothing is "owed" to God, the good things in life are still presented to the Lord as a way of thanking him, as provider.

Application: Yahweh Yirah, the Lord provides!

Everything I have is provided by God. I do know this. There has been no such thing as luck or good fortune or hard work or mental skill in my life that has provided anything. Yes, sometimes the Lord has given me ability or knowledge and aligned that to opportunity, but even that comes from him. Every meal, every drink, every comfort, every need, every joy, every warmth ... it all is provided by the Lord.

I should spend some time every day explicitly dedicating such items to God.

Prayer: Lord, you are my loving father who has given me so very much in life, far more than I have ever deserved. I know everything I have in my life is by your hand. It is yours in fact, and you have allowed me to have it here on earth. I thank you for all things in my life. Amen.