Feb 12 – DELIGHTFUL SACRIFICE!

“For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering” (Psalm 51:16).

Jesus Christ is one who dedicated Himself as a sacrifice for you. The Calvary sacrifice is incomparable. No burnt offering or drink offering is comparable to that of the Son of God in which He sacrificed Himself.

Jim Eliot was a missionary who had died after doing ministry in South America. He wrote in his diary “If it is true that Jesus Christ is my God and He died for me, then no sacrificial act of mine or offering of mine could be greater to that.”

What are the sacrifices which God prefers? David says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). The prayer from the contrite heart is what He likes. He listens to the requests which are with Spirit and truth, made from the bottom of the heart.

A tearful prayer of half an hour duration made with a contrite heart will yield more benefits than an ordinary prayer for four long hours. God does not like traditional prayers, repeated prayers made day after day and the written format of prayers. He wants you to seek from Him with an open mind. He never despises the prayers made with a contrite heart.

David gave way for the enemies to blame him in his life. He failed to lead a model life for the children of Israel to follow. How to set this right? Is it enough if ten bulls or one thousand fat sheep are sacrificed? No.

But for God, He looks up only to the broken and contrite hearts. When David went on complete fasting and wept bitterly for his sins, God accepted that broken heart as the best sacrifice. When you come nearer to the throne of grace of Calvary, rush to Him with a broken and a contrite heart. He will recognise you and will make the covenant with you again. Praise is the sacrifice which God likes. God says,    “Whoever offers praise glorifies me, and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:23).

Dear children of God, He has graciously given you Salvation, eternal life and anointment and may the praises you offer to Him for the same make His heart happy. 

To meditate: “O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise” (Psalm 51:15).