On Giving (II)

On Giving (II)

‘For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 [KJV]

Bible Reading: I Samuel 15

Today’s reading buttresses the fact that God is interested in you first before your offering/gift. It is the story of king Saul’s disobedience to God’s instruction. God instructed king Saul through prophet Samuel to destroy the Amalekites because of the evils they have done in the past to the children of Israel. It was meant to be a holy war, a war that no war booty was taken away. King Saul on the contrary spared Agag, the king of Amalekites and the best of the sheep etc. When prophet Saul called his attention to it, he said his people spared those things in order to sacrifice to God. This response brought about one of the famous scriptures on obedience, ‘obedience is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of ram’ (I Samuel 15:2).

This incident and many others led to God’s rejection of Saul because He was disobedient. God was interested in king Saul’s obedient heart because obedience is the best proof of love (John 14:21). Also, when Saul’s wrong was pointed out, he was not remorseful, rather, he shifted theblame on others. He did not take any responsibility. Dear friends, before you give God any gift, give Him your heart because that is the first step in giving God a pleasing and acceptable offering.

Daily Confession: Lord Jesus help me to surrender all unto You in Jesus name.

Intercessory prayer: Pray for God’s visitation upon European countries in crisis.

Hymn: I surrender all (x2)

All to Thee, my blessed Saviour

I surrender all.