Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings ~ Hosea 6:6

This is the whole heart of the matter - if we state that we love God, but do not show it to our brother or sister in Christ, our “sacrifice” is not an offering to God, but a farce. If we claim we are Christian, but then use our brother or sister for our personal benefit, we are a liar. If we uphold all the Laws of the Bible, but turn our back on someone in need, we are living in vanity. Pretended love for God is not real love, and there are those who live in pretended love. Unfortunately, as the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day did not recognize it, neither do those in our day. Isaiah 1:11-13 wrote: “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure  in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings!  Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.” We are not told to give up one for the other. It is the worthlessness of it God detests. We cannot be all mercy with no sacrifice, and we cannot acknowledge God while giving up the law. Sacrifice goes hand in hand with mercy but only if our sacrifice is not just an external performance. And worship of God and obedience to God through His commands also cannot be just raising our hands in praise while doing what we want to do, or setting truth as what we think truth is. Obedience is following God in all ways, not following our own wills and lusts. God desires that we know Him as He knows us, that our minds are filled with Him and as He has compassion for us, that we have compassion and charity toward others. God desires we revere His majesty, have awe of His goodness, and love for His holiness. God wants us to trust in His promise and submit to His will. This is the heart of the matter! 
Devotion by Pastor Julia 


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