As I read in the Old Testament, I see many references to sacrifices and revere their importance at the time as our savior had not yet come to bear the weight of our sins. And then I come to Psalm 40 this morning.
“6In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.” – Psalm 40:6 (ESV)
God required and still requires today, repentance. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were symbols to The Lord of our repentance for at the time we did not have a direct line to God to commune and fellowship. We went through the priests with our gifts to God to repent. Somehow the gravity of the gift (sacrifice) determined the level of forgiveness. Even here in Psalm 40, the sacrifice is deemed less important than the repentance itself.
I still sacrifice today, only not with burnt or sin offerings. I sacrifice with my actions to do that which pleases God. When He asks, it is my responsibility to do and by doing for God, I sacrifice worldly pleasure for myself. It is in the actions that God is pleased and not in what I gave up. He knows what I gave up. I have to remember that the rewards I could receive here in this world are just temporary and mean very little when I think of my eternal rewards in heaven.
“I repent O Lord for where I have failed you. Those places I know and those places I don’t. I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. Lead me in the path to your grace and direct me in the actions that please and bring glory to your name.”
When you are alone with God, are you repenting or are you relying on some sacrifice to represent you? Will you actively seek repentance from God? Sacrifice is not enough, will you take action?
Trevor's Thoughts 