Father, You gave Ezekiel a recap of the physical sacrifices that were to be offered to You, when and where and how in specific detail. For You are a Holy God and the offerings and sacrifices provided atonement and consecration for Your people then.
Now comes Peter writing to remind believers that now they “are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices…”
The Israelites had to go to a specific place, the Temple, and have their sacrifices presented by priests. But now believers’ bodies are the “temple” and believers, themselves, are the priests. And the sacrifices offered are the spiritual sacrifices of praise, and a contrite heart.
You are Holy because of who You are. But believers are made holy not by the sacrifices of goats and lambs with flour and oil; but “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Believers “purify yourselves by obeying the truth…born again…through the living and enduring Word of God.”
Further, Peter tells me to be holy in all I do: to “prepare [my] mind for action; be self-controlled.” And “as an obedient child, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” “Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.”
How do I do this?
Psalm 119 answers this, and so it has become my prayer. “Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of Your commands; for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward Your statues and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.”
Father, let me live and walk and worship according to these Words. Let me be taught by You. Break down whatever habits or tendencies I have that war against Your precepts or keep me from following Your path wholeheartedly.
Enrich me through Your unfailing love. I lift my hands to You. Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 