1 Samuel 7:9-10(KJV)
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
It has been established from Scriptures that sacrifice has preservative power. Samuel lived a sacrificial life in all his days, and God used him to save the nation of Israel. When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered together at Mizpah, they gathered to attack. While the Philistines drew near for battle, the Israelites gathered around a sacrificial lamb. The Israelites, faced with a life-threatening situation, cried out to Samuel, and Samuel offered a sacrifice to God. And as he rendered the lamb as a sacrifice, the Lord heard him and sent a great thunder that disorganized their enemy. Eventually, the Israelites subdued the Philistines and defeated them. So, God gave the Israelites victory over their enemies. He miraculously delivered the Israelites from the Philistines that day by the power of sacrifice.
The weapon of sacrifice is more potent than any physical weapon of war. Sacrifice activates the intervention of God in times of trouble. Our sacrifice does not just deliver us; it also can liberate our loved ones. Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God. A sacrificial person is ready to give their life, time, resources, and energy for the Kingdom of God. They lay them on the altar. Through our sacrifices, we experience substantial Divine covering and tangible Divine defense. As believers, every opportunity to sacrifice is an opportunity to be victorious. Anywhere true worshippers offer acceptable sacrifice, the holy God responds accordingly. So, whenever we receive a prompting of the Holy Spirit to rear an altar of sacrifice, we should dive into it in faith because in it lies our settlement and deliverance. 2 Kings 3:27 says, “Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.” If non-Christians know this principle of offering sacrifice to avert impending doom or disaster, then as Christians, follow Samuel’s example and be ready to give a sacrificial offering, especially in troubled times.
Beloved, sacrifice carries deliverance power to avert calamity. When you are sacrificial, God’s fire surrounds you. You become fire in motion; you go where others are not permitted. In this life, bigger victories require bigger sacrifices. For every higher level you try to attain, there will be obstacles waiting to stop you. So, determine the level of preparation you put in and the kind of sacrifice you make. Maintain an unwavering commitment to God by living a life of sacrifice. Live a life of sacrifice and not play church but mean business with God. Because God can never do a significant thing with unserious people, let your covenant walk with God shift to another level. Be so committed until God bears you witness and can even boast about you. Do not look for human approval, for it does not equal Divine verdict. Draw near to Him in true repentance, faith, and total surrender, and He will accept you and your sacrifice. You and your loved ones are preserved from every impending tragedy, calamity, or disaster in this month and beyond, in Jesus’ Name. Remember, the greater the height you want to reach, the greater the sacrifice you have to make, and the level of your oblation shows how much of God’s grace and goodness you appreciate in your life.
O Lord, I ask that You help me to live a life of sacrifice. I lay my all at Your Feet in Jesus’ Name.