By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Psalm 51:16-17 "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." NIV
David was repentantly praying before God following the sin of adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. Not only did he sleep with her, he also killed the husband. When God rebuked David for his sin, he was repentant. He notes that it is not sacrifices or gifts that would appease God. He had plenty of things to bring to God. But He noted that what God is after is a broken, humble and repentant heart. He will not reject that.
King Saul was instructed to destroy everything about the Amelekites. But he spared the best bulls and sheep to sacrifice to God in disobedience (1 Samuel 15). He thought he would appease God, a form of bribery, by sacrifice and gifts and cover up his sin of disobedience. God was angry and rejected him as king. God cannot be hoodwinked into overlooking sin by our matetial or other gifts. When we have fallen short and sinned, all He asks us to do is have a humble repentant heart. That’s what pleases Him.
The very gifts and sacrifices we bring came from Him. The state our hearts is more important to Him than anything else. He will not despise a humble heart, which genuinely acknowledges sin and is willing to be helped overcome it. It is by His grace. But the proud hearts which front good works and gifts to justify themselves won’t go far. Come to Him in humility and brokenness.
Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
1 Samuel 15:22 "But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
Shalom children of God.