A PLEASANT OFFERING
Psalm 51: 1-19
It is no longer news that God takes pleasure in some offerings while he rejects some others. We all know the story of Cain and Abel. While Abel’s offering was accepted, that of Cain was rejected. What was the difference? Why was one accepted and the other rejected? Did the size have anything to do with acceptability? Was it about the materials offered? Some have posited that God loves animal sacrifice more than crop offerings. This has no basis in the scriptures. After all, among several offerings materials commanded by God, we see grain prominently displayed.
So what could have gone wrong with Cain’s offering. A cursory look at Psalm 51 would give us inkling. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delighted not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. David wrote this psalm after the Bathsheba incident. He repented of his sins and asked God for forgiveness. If you live in sin, your sacrifice and offerings cannot be acceptable to God. He desires that you live in righteousness. If your father is holy, then you also must be holy for a child takes after his father. We cannot continue to violate the commandments of God and expect him to take delight in our sacrifices and offerings. Never! We must therefore turn a new leaf. David did a complete turnaround to make his life acceptable to God.
Until your lifestyle meets God’s expectations and standards, your offering is not acceptable. It is not about what you give but about you. How is your relationship with God and with people? Live right and your offering will be right. Live otherwise and your offering becomes wrong and like that of Cain, becomes unacceptable to God. If your offering is unacceptable, there will be no benefits attached.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shall thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering : then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalm 51: 18-19
Your offering is not an alternative to righteous living. Neither is it a bribe to make God look away from worldliness and corruption. Start living right today.
PRAYER: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
