But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams..."
When you come into relationship with God, it may be your desire to please Him. Many respond to the love of God by going to church, serving on a committee, or giving heavily to charity. While sacrifices are good and demonstrate a relationship between you and God, what is more pleasing to Him is your obedience. The sacrifices become a ritual if it is not done out of devotion and obedience to God.
Obeying God could be in little things like when you feel a prompting in your spirit to sow a seed though you have little. You might say, 'let me wait until my salary comes in when I can give more'. It is not the amount that counts but being able to respond when He spoke to you.
Your loving Father is delighted in your sacrifice when it comes with a heart that obeys Him. It is much easier to bring an offering to the altar than to bring your will subject to His will. He knows your weaknesses (yes He has been a man) and knows that you may have struggles in obeying Him. Why not then pray for a heart that obeys Him willingly?
Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to help you be sensitive to His voice. Pray that His word renews your spirit each day that you may have a heart that desires to obey Him. Pray that you desire the peace and satisfaction that comes with obeying Him.
One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - Jan. 12 2010 - Genesis 29-30 (OT), Matthew 12 (NT).
Suggested Prayer Point for yourself - Pray that this day God will reveal to you how deep your walk with Him is. If your walk with Him is shallow, pray that this year you will experience a deeper walk with Him and you will experience Him for yourself. Pray that you may be able to walk in the Spirit that you may bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Supporting Scriptures - Isaiah 33:15-16, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 5:22-23.
Suggested General Prayer Point - Pray for Israel. Pray for peace in Jerusalem. Pray that the light of God will continue to shine there and may His mercy and grace continue to abound towards all His people.
God's Love and Mine, Rita.
