Right Sacrifice, Right Actions
Bridget and the kids arrived this afternoon. We have had a good first day. Pretty laid back and some time at the pool and a nature walk for the kids that they didn’t want to come to an end. The temperature has been cool, but when the sun come out it warms up, by at least mid afternoon.
The resort does have a lift to help me get into the pool. We all got into the hot tub together at least for a photo op. I never was in any water therapy at the rehab hospital because I always had some kind of open sore or wound. This should be a good week of water therapy. The grandkids love the water and enjoyed their time at the pool. Carter was so excited to get the mountains and go swimming that Stephanie and he went to the pool last night in spite of us driving through cold rain and sleet to get here.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
This familiar Old Testament verse is actually in response to a plea of, “what should I bring when I come into the Lord’s presence?” What follows is a list of sacrifices that were common to the worshipers of the day especially those who were accustomed to idolatry. The list ends with even an offer of child sacrifice which was the practice of the followers of of the heathen god Molech.
The Lord in His response through His prophet makes it clear that He wants right actions. A right heart and obedience as an expression of true worship. As the prophet Samuel spoke to Saul hundreds of years earlier “to obey is better than sacrifice.”
This was a people who had grown accustomed to going through the motions of religious devotion but they oppressed the poor, cheated one another and lived immoral lives.
The principle applies today. God is looking for hearts devoted to Him more than people who go through “religious” practices and yet live their lives devoid of actions that show God’s priorities. I believe it was Former US Senate Chaplain Richard Halverson who spoke of practical atheism. He said that refers to people who, profess that they know God but then live as if He doesn’t exist.
Righteousness, mercy, humility. Those are God’s priorities and our lives should reflect them.