The Gift that's better than Sacrifice
1 Samuel 15: 22-3
"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity, and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king."
When you've received the word of God, pay heed to it and do not reject it. He wants our obedience and hearts, not anything esle for He can have everything He wants as He is God Almighty. He does not force us into obedience because He loves us. However He'll not be happy with our offerings of money, objects, food and even anything dearest to us if our hearts are not in them.
He is calling me to listen with my heart, to always turn back to Him when in doubt, confusion or anger. It is easier to turn away and seek the comforts of earthly things and pleasures than to stay on the right path. Afteral having lived most of my life without His word and guidance, it is not difficult straying and returning to what I've grown used to.
What can I offer Him that I think He'll want? Surely no fellow human, material possession, not even constant fasting. He wants my heart before anything. And He wants my heart to be first in anything esle I offer - be it a talent, a fast or a good deed. If there is no heart in what I do, the event and object become hollow and slight. To listen and do it with my heart is to also remember with my heart.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Teach me and lead me that I will grow in patience and not turn to what I've grown used to whenever I was in need. Lord I'm still a child in my faith, at times unstable and unsure. I need Your constant reassurance and discipline to grow and attain wisdom. Lord I pray that You'll lead me to places and people who can nurture me and help me to grow in faith daily.
Lord carry this heart of mine along with You. I pray that I'll slowly learn to relax and listen and do things with my heart - a heart that's open, welcoming, patient and soft. Dear Father I consecrate my life to You. And before this life of mine I offer my heart and pray for it to be filled with an aching tenderness.
Amen.
"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity, and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king."
When you've received the word of God, pay heed to it and do not reject it. He wants our obedience and hearts, not anything esle for He can have everything He wants as He is God Almighty. He does not force us into obedience because He loves us. However He'll not be happy with our offerings of money, objects, food and even anything dearest to us if our hearts are not in them.
He is calling me to listen with my heart, to always turn back to Him when in doubt, confusion or anger. It is easier to turn away and seek the comforts of earthly things and pleasures than to stay on the right path. Afteral having lived most of my life without His word and guidance, it is not difficult straying and returning to what I've grown used to.
What can I offer Him that I think He'll want? Surely no fellow human, material possession, not even constant fasting. He wants my heart before anything. And He wants my heart to be first in anything esle I offer - be it a talent, a fast or a good deed. If there is no heart in what I do, the event and object become hollow and slight. To listen and do it with my heart is to also remember with my heart.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Teach me and lead me that I will grow in patience and not turn to what I've grown used to whenever I was in need. Lord I'm still a child in my faith, at times unstable and unsure. I need Your constant reassurance and discipline to grow and attain wisdom. Lord I pray that You'll lead me to places and people who can nurture me and help me to grow in faith daily.
Lord carry this heart of mine along with You. I pray that I'll slowly learn to relax and listen and do things with my heart - a heart that's open, welcoming, patient and soft. Dear Father I consecrate my life to You. And before this life of mine I offer my heart and pray for it to be filled with an aching tenderness.
Amen.
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