But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).
Our Father, teach us reverent fear and humble obedience. "You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed" (Psalm 119:4). Give us ears that are open to Your Word, hearts that are sensitive to Your will, minds that are open to Your plans.
Lord, You do not desire external observances from unrepentant hearts that repeatedly reject Your laws. Even of the Lord Jesus, the requirement was for a "desire to do Your will," and for a heart surrendered to Your law. (Psalm 40:6-8.)
Keep us always mindful that You require from us hearts of obedience rather than "busy" activities or religious formalities. Deliver us from the temptation to create our own "fixes", and to "do it our way", like King Saul (1 Samuel 15:7-23). Deliver us from the evils of pride and presumption. Deliver us from the evil of "empty religion."
Father, let us not be people that come "trampling Your courts" with "meaningless offerings." Let us not be like those of whom You say, "your incense is detestable to me…I cannot bear your worthless assemblies…your…feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening" (Isaiah 1:12-15).
Thank You, Lord, that You desire to show us mercy. Thank You, that at the end of it all, You offer us an invitation to be made clean. Thank You that "with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You..."with [You] is full redemption" (Psalm 130:4,7).
Thank You Father, that we can ultimately say, like the psalmist, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me" (Psalm 66:18-20)!
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