Numbers 29 -- Sacrifices of our TIME

Sometimes we flinch at the idea of having to attend several days of Bible study at church.  Back in the old days, I remember going to church every night for a week or two for revivals.  I can’t imagine how we ever found a time that our schedules would permit it then, much less today.  This chapter lists several Jewish holy days that began their civil new year.

The first day of the seventh month was the Feast of Trumpets.  Nine days later, they had the Day of Atonement, which required fasting.  Five days after that, the Feast of Shelters began, and it lasted 8 days.  The first and last days were Sabbaths when no work was done, and over 200 sacrifices were offered by the priests that week.

Today, just giving of our time seems such a sacrifice, and we need to remember that sacrifices were supposed to cost us something.  I think so often today we’re tempted to throw money at something so long as our time isn’t required.  But I think back to mission trips I’ve taken, and I wouldn’t trade for that time I gave up.  Those trips don’t seem like sacrifices.  That’s because I communed with God.

Father, help us to realize in our busy culture that spending time with You is not a sacrifice, but a privilege, and refresh us when we do so!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford