0523. The Desire of Jehovah

The Desire of Jehovah

"For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Psa_51:16-17).

These verses really portray to us the whole reason for David’s sorrow and sense of sin. David was miserable because he was impure, and God was pure; he was unrighteous and God was righteous.

1. It is negatively put, "Thou desirest not sacrifice," "Thou delightest not in burnt offering." We thought these were the very things that God did desire! Yes, but He desires them under certain conditions. God said to Israel, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me, saith the Lord? I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats."

How could God receive sacrifices from Israel, when Israel was a sinful nation, laden with iniquity; a seed of evil doers? How could God accept offerings from Israel, when her children were corrupters? Such people tread God’s courts in vain. Incense from them, is an abomination unto the Lord. God cannot endure their solemn meetings and their appointed feasts.

God’s command is plain in Isa_1:16 : "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil." David realized all that the passages above, signify. He knew that he must be clean and true before God would accept any sacrifices at his hand.

What an abomination for believers to be baptized, and to partake of the Lord’s Supper, when they know absolutely nothing about what baptism and the Lord’s Supper typify. God desires us to be baptized, and He commands us to break the bread and to pour forth the cup, but He also desires and command’s a clean heart and life. If we know nothing of union with Christ in His death, and burial, and resurrection, how can we have part in His ordinances?

2. It is positively put–"A broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God Thou wilt not despise." Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart; man delights in outward form, God delights in inward righteousness. Any one whose spirit is broken and whose heart is contrite, will find forgiveness and favor with God.

The father ran to meet the prodigal son, because the prodigal son came home confessing his sin. His spirit was broken and his heart was contrite.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR