Willingly
“Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord” (Exodus 35:5).
“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord” (1 Chronicles 29:9).
The Lord wants willingness in our offerings. Forced worship is not acceptable. The worship of the golden image in Daniel’s time was forced. Under the threat of death the people had to fall down and worship. So today in heathendom multitudes still worship because of fear, either of man or of their god or gods.
In our verse the Lord wants worship from those who love Him, those who really do want to present an offering — in our case a heart full of Christ with an overflow of thanksgiving, praise and worship. As we think about the Lord Jesus Christ today, His suffering and death for us, His resurrection and exaltation, our hearts will willingly offer a sacrifice of praise that is acceptable to God.
