Scripture:
"... bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar. - Psalms 118:27

We all recognize the spiritual significance of presenting our bodies unto God as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) However, have you thought about what happens to a sacrifices that is offered? It is burned with fire on the altar. This can be a potential problem. Since we are living sacrifices we often are tempted to jump off the altar and out of the fire. If we were dead sacrifices there would be no problem. Dead things don’t move. But we are living sacrifices and able to make choices to stay in the fire or get out.

The psalmist reveals to us an important concept. He speaks of binding the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. Now that doesn’t make much sense if your sacrifice is a dead one, but it makes a whole lot of sense if it is living. You bind it so it won’t move. Of course I realize that this may not be an accurate interpretation of this text but bear with me as I attempt to drive home a truth.

Let us focus our attention on the cords we bind our sacrifice with. What is the cord with which we bind our sacrifice? I believe the cord is our will. However, it is not only our will that is needed. It takes our will woven in God’s will. Our will alone will never suffice. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure." Philippines 2:13 You must bind yourself (the living sacrifice) with the cord of your will woven in his will to the horns of the altar. Then and only then will your living sacrifice stay on the altar when the fire gets hot.

When our sacrifice is offered an aroma ascends unto to God that pleases him. "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God." Philippians 4:18 If the material offerings of the saints at Philippi can be a sweet smell to God, how much more will our living sacrifice be? Present your bodies as living sacrifices to God and be sure to bind those sacrifices with the strong cord of your will woven in His. Then you will discover the joy of giving to God service that is well pleasing to Him. This is your reasonable service.