Thoughts for another day

May 16, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Sam. 15:22b. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Does God need sacrifices?  Of goats, bulls, or what have you?  Does He demand extraordinary things from human beings so that He may send His blessings toward us?  The straight and simple answer to this is, NO!  Even in the days prior to Christ, God didn’t need sacrifices from men.  Rather God was pleased with obedience.  In fact, throughout the Old Testament, we see God was pleased with obedience to His Word than any sacrifices that were offered.

Among the Kings, we see God always rescuing those who were loyal to Him and His Word.  Were it just sacrifice, there were many who would give Him that but they knew He sought their obedience which unfortunately they didn’t give because it meant they move away from their un-rightly ways and move into His way; and across ages, man has always strayed from the right way, going to the wrong.  It also meant God needs us to be with Him, and this isn’t to be replaced by something He Himself gave us.  In the old days though God ordained sacrifices, they were blood sacrifices to atone for sins, till the Precious Lamb of God would replace them with His One sacrifice of Himself.  After this, there would be no need of any sacrifice and that’s the way it is today.  Yet, there’re many who believe if they give to Ministries, or provide for charity or some such thing through money gained wrongly, they can please Him and they’re then free to do what they want, even disobey His given commandments and ways of life.

It goes without saying, that rebellion and disobedience are at the core of the heart of man, yet, by His Grace, today we can conquer if we’re only willing to forego the temporary pleasure of sinning.  It may please us to wrong somebody to show we’re superior but what use is it if God is displeased.  It’s better rather, to be a little lower for the sake of our Father by keeping His commands and foregoing the pleasure.  He will be pleased and His reward is wonderful – perhaps, not on earth, but beyond… yes for sure.