Thoughts for another day

June 24, 2008

Today's verse: Hosea 6:6. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

What does God desire of us?

As for the vertical dimension He desires that we have communion with Him all the time because only then He can tell us why such and such a thing is happening and the reasons for that. Many times when we say, ‘I wonder why God did such a thing - when I go up to (heaven) maybe I’ll ask Him’; rather than that why not ask Him when you are here. You can do that and God will reveal His secrets, perhaps not all though. Besides, knowledge of God can be very critical in times of distress and that is why I always tell people to go through His Word for in trouble, there is nothing more reassuring than knowing God and knowing how He has been there from the beginning in your life and now too He is not too far off and knowing God comes from reading His Word and keeping His commands.

As to the horizontal, God is very clear what He wants. He doesn’t expect gifts from us like some of us think and then indulge in, flowers, candles, and other things that we can offer. God does not want rich offerings in the plate that comes around on Sundays; rather God wants that we have mercy deep within us. A kind of mercy, that arouses concern for our kindred and leads to caring for them as well as the poor. God needs that we not ignore those who count for nothing but rather help them with something so that they could live lives a little better.

One interesting thing I have noticed in the character of God is His pegging of our relationship with Him vis-à-vis our friends and neighbors. The more we help the people of the world, the closer God comes to us. The verse says God desires mercy. This mercy is for the people and they could be anybody. God is more interested that we show kindness and love people, far more than just useless rituals and other offerings that do not mean a thing. My friend, God is interested more in being with us and teaching us the sheer meaning of life and justice rather than in ornate offerings for Himself. In fact the greatest offering one could give Him is nothing but taking care of the poor and looking after the sick.