Leviticus 7:16-17. “But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten on the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten: but the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.” OUT OF TIME. Now – today – at once: it is good, and right and proper. God has passed His verdict of the rightness of what has been offered. No changes are to be made – no additives – no switching of parts.
The way it is – is the way God wants it to be.
The vow is made – the charges that are stated are heard by God and man. I chose to make them before God and witnesses – for the duration. To change the wording later doesn’t cut it – it is recorded – unchangeable. The words are what it is – the sacrifice ratifies it.
I want to give it – to give it all, the way it is in its’ perfection. It is good enough for God and only God. I cannot claim it, it now belongs totally to God. An after-thought comes and I want to hold back part of its’ value – Never! The offering is God’s completely – even if it is a Samuel – or an Isaac.
The vow – the voluntary offering is given – to God alone – for God alone. The smoke of the sacrifice is as incense to God. I am allowed to partake of the same food that is given to God. Eat it today – now – here when its’ meaning is fresh in my mind.
Another day comes – the day after the freshness of my spiritual gift is given. I think of the vow – the offering, am I ever glad I gave it to God. I eat again of that spiritual meat that was given to God. The thoughts and words are still there – perhaps not as vivid in my heart.
The third day comes and I begin to think of other things – life goes on. In my heart I want to make it fresh again – maybe if I eat of it again? But God said, “No.” It is to be burned with fire – the time is passed. The third day is too late – the flesh is spoiled – the meaning begins to fade.
I learn from the Word that God has a time – a place – a way. It is important that I do what I am to do now – in God’s time – not later. When it is fresh in my heart and my soul is warm – act now! Not later when the ardor has cooled and I think I can pick it up again.
“O God who knows my heart: I have given to Thee today what I felt I had to give. And now I feel it is far too insufficient. I would like to have been able to rephrase a lot of what I offered to make it more acceptable. If I could do it over, I probably would. But I know what has been offered is long gone – and accepted. May there be that on which I can feed for these next days. May it have brought Thee some satisfaction. I really meant what I offered. It just seems so small and limited. In the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.”