I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:3-4, 16-17, NIV 1984).
My Musings – A broken spirit and a contrite heart is what the Lord delights in from sinners like you and me. Like all of us really. He does not delight in sacrifices because there is nothing that we can offer that is capable of “balancing the scales” of justice. That is why He is justified when He judges. Oh, and the fact that He is God. There’s that.
Some, on the other hand, have a haughty spirit and an impenitent heart. Still others believe that they can “even the score” with good deeds, the modern version of burnt offerings. We cannot approach a Holy God with that kind of attitude or appease His wrath with what are merely token offerings. For what could we possibly offer that would even begin to offset sins against the Creator of the universe? For, “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:9-11, NIV 1984).
My Advice – “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21, NIV 1984). It is only the word (Gospel) planted in us that can save. And it only takes root in a spirit that’s been broken and a heart that is contrite. And take note, it is something we “accept,” not something that we offer. His sacrifice, not ours. How can that not humble us?
The Brew Is A Musing 