Reading
SAA Notes
Sin really is serious. It cuts us off from God, and from all blessings that flow from Him. The horror is in verses 7:8,9 – we get to the stage when we can no longer tell deception from blessing.
SJA Notes
* Lord God, Your word is broad and deep. Please teach us today that we would know You better.
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
God is very clear, rote practice is not enough. Following rules is not enough. And He warns against bad religion, head-knowledge spiritualism.
“They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds;”
THE HEART.
True HEART religion is what God wants.
David wrestles with this in many of the Psalms, and we read in Psalm 51,
“For your 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.”
David tells us that a broken and contrite heart, a broken spirit – These make up true religion that pleases God.
Are our spirits broken before the Lord?
Do we walk in contriteness before our King?
* Mighty God,
We see all around us and through the world the many different practices of false religion.
Please mark us as a faithful people, founded in Your steadfast love and faithfulness.
Please save those around us Lord God, bring them to You. The True God.
Amen.