Self-Denial
Today was my most open day of the week. It allowed me to get some thing caught in my home office and get ready for a candidate forum this evening in Greeley. I did get to the fitness center for a lighter workout, but it was good to have the exercise.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You are to hold a sacred assembly on the tenth day of this seventh month and practice self-denial; you must not do any work.” Numbers 29:7 HCSB)
We see as the Children of Israel prepare to enter the promise land that they are reminded of the offerings they are to bring on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. Each year during the “Day of Atonement” it is mentioned specifically that they were to “practice self-denial.” Self-denial does not come easy. That is why is has to be “practiced.”
These instructions find their basis in Leviticus, “Atonement will be made for you on this day to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must practice self-denial…” (Lev. 16:30,31 HCSB)
The Day of Atonement was the most important day of the year. This is the one day of the year the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer the sacrifice for the sin of the people. This day is declared a day of “complete rest.” I find an interesting connection between forgiveness of sin and Sabbath and self-denial. Sin is always found when we put our needs and desires first. In like fashion the Sabbath as a “day of rest” means that, “I don’t do what I want to do, but what the Lord instructs me to do.”
Self-denial is the opposite of the instant gratification and a lack of personal discipline that is rampant in our society. While Lent is practiced by more liturgical churches, the concept of “giving something up” for Lent has some Biblical value. It is not related to our salvation, but like fasting, it can arrest our attention to “things above.”
We see self-denial in the life of Jesus. We read, “For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” (Romans 15:3 NLT) Jesus also said, self-denial is part of discipleship, “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.“ (Luke 9:23 NIV)
In our world of “me first” and “I have the right to do what makes me happy” it is important to understand that self-denial is a spiritual discipline. It is a reminder that we are not the ultimate authority in our own life. It reminds us that we are dependent upon the Lord and we what we do, should be done out of a desire to honor and please Christ more than ourselves.