“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”  (Psalms 51:17)

God’s people are to offer sacrifices to Him. Peter says that they are to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (1 Peter 2:5) Their gifts to God include ministering to others, worshiping God, and holy living.

Certainly the sinner can make no atonement for sin. He has no hope without the mercy of God. Under Moses’ law, the bulls and goats that were offered as an atonement for sin, did not fully satisfy the justice of God nor the conscience of man.  Thus, God’s wrath was only fully appeased with the sacrifice of Christ. (see Hebrews 9:12-14) Through the death of Christ, the penitent sinner is purified so that he can offer acceptable gifts to God. (Titus 2:11-14)

The Bible teaches that our gifts to God must be offered with a broken and contrite heart. One glorifies God by recognizing God‘s infinite holiness. While one may sin against his neighbor but, ultimately one’s sin is against God.

The broken and contrite heart implies that one has surrendered themselves fully to God. Only God can fully pardon and renew the spirit. God delights in our humility, because then and only then can he mold us into what he wants us to be.

However, a second, but related attitude must be coupled with a broken heart before the sacrifice is accepted by God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul the king of Israel was commanded by God to “go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”(1 Samuel 15:3)
Instead, of heeding the voice of God, Saul spared the sheep and oxen and lambs to offer as a sacrifice to God. (see 1 Samuel 15:9,15) God was displeased with Saul.

When Samuel the prophet confronted Saul about the matter, he related an important principle. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams”.(1 Samuel 15:22) To please God the sacrifice must be coupled with the heart of submission and obedience. God is not pleased with gifts that he has not authorized.

Sacrifices that God has not approved are viewed as rebellion. In such actions man makes himself a worshiper of self rather than God.  Such sacrifices focus on pleasing the carnal person rather than on the Lord. Such sacrifices dishonor the Lord who is holy and good.

When one comes to the altar with gifts to God, first they must approach God with gratitude, for such offerings are only accepted because of God‘s mercy. And second, one must fully yield to God by giving him only what he approves.

By George Slover

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth. (Habakkuk 3:1)

The first two chapters of Habakkuk are a dialogue between the prophet and God. In this discourse, God reveals his intention to punish unrighteous Judah with the violent Chaldeans.  This revelation from God leaves Habakkuk, a man of faith with questions.  “How can a holy God use an idolatrous nation to punish unrighteous Judah?”  God’s answer is recorded in chapters one and two: God would indeed allow the Chaldeans to invade Judah, “But the just shall live by his faith.  (Habakkuk 2:4)   Habakkuk’s reflection are then recited in the prayer that is recorded in chapter 3.  

Though Habakkuk was a righteous man, as a patriot it was difficult for him to contemplate the decimation of his country. Habakkuk’s prayer includes petition, adoration, and a rumination of God’s character at work.  Through such reflection, the prophet imparts consolation in view of the Babylonian invasion. In this chapter we see at least four marvelous pictures of God.

The Onward March of God. (vs. 3-5) The name of God (Eloah) is employed by the prophet to designate God as the governor of the whole world. He is pictured (vs.3) as coming from Teman and Paran – the country south of Judah and the desert region between Judah and Sinai. Jehovah marches on to execute judgment upon the ungodly world with pestilence just as he had done in Egypt. (Vs. 4,5) 

The Works of God (vs. 6,7) God measures the earth and scatters the mountains. The measuring of the earth may refer to God surveying the world as he accounts for the conduct of each nation. He seeks their attention by rocking the mountains and hills. He punished Cushan and Midian, neighboring enemies of Judah, with affliction. God is sovereign over men and kings, and he moves among the nations.

The Wrath of God (Vs. 8)  The prophet pictures Jehovah as a war-like general marching forth against his enemies. He throws all nature (rivers and seas), emblems of the earths population, into consternation. The wrath of God is as much a reality as the love of God.

The Interposition of God in History (vs. 9-16)  Jehovah is pictured as moving through the land and trampling the nations. Though God would use the idolatrous Chaldeans to punish Judah, they too will soon be an object of his displeasure. He will overcome every obstacle which hinders his purpose – namely the salvation of his people.

Dear reader, we do indeed live in troubling times. But, God is the sovereign ruler of the nations. His purposes will not be thwarted. Therefore, let us have the same resolve as the prophet. “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17,18)

By George Slover 
 

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11,12)

In the two letters to the Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer. There are several prayers recorded in these two books. A study of those prayers will reveal the spiritual emphasis of Paul‘s thanksgivings and petitions, and an acknowledgment of God‘s presence in their daily lives. He prays they will walk in a manner worthy of God.  

Paul first recognizes the reality of their calling. They have been called by the gospel into a relationship with God. It is a high, holy, and heavenly calling. It is no light matter. This calling comes with serious obligations. The people of God have been called to be true to their vocation. 

The saints are called to please God through goodness and faith. They are called God‘s workmanship created for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)  They are to be zealous of good deeds. (Titus 2:14) Paul prays that God will complete the work he has begun through his spirit cooperating with the holy desires of the saints.

In his first letter, Paul remembers their faith. He prays that God will fulfill this work of faith. James says that such a faith manifests itself by works. (James 2:24)  A working faith is an active energy that will lead one to more earnest prayer and a closer walk with God.

The ultimate end of this process is the glory of God. It is to that end that Paul prays “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him“. Christ has a name that is above all names and is worthy of glory. Christ is honored through holy character and conduct. One day the Saints will be glorified in him and reign with him forever.

Dear brother, remember your calling is from God. Seek the strength and power that comes from him. Put it into action and let the glory of Christ be your one great aim.

By George Slover
 

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1)

The words above came to Abram when he was 90 years- “old walk and be perfect”. It was 15 year before that Abram left Haran. His faith has been severely tested through numerous challenges. Then comes the word of the Lord: I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.”

To walk with someone is a Hebrew figure which implies friendship and a journey. It entails accountability, security, and intimacy. Here are a few specifics involved in walking with God.

When one walks with God, God and his truth becomes a constant reference point. To walk with God is to acknowledge his sovereignty. It means that we must subject our will to God‘s will and to strive to do all that God would have us to do.

God is the ultimate model of moral excellence. When we choose to walk with God, we must be determined to resemble him. This means our life will no longer model the ways of the world. We must be devoted to a divine character rather than a human one.

To walk with God is to love him and rejoice in his presence, to feel attracted to him, to value his favor more than anything else. Thus, we will trust his every decision for our life, and bask in his fellowship.

When we choose to walk with God, we must submit our proud heart to his ways. We must set God before us, striving to live a life of hallowed communion, and to make His glory the very object of our life.

How humbling and refreshing to think that the Creator of heaven and earth invites us into such a relationship. How liberating to walk with he who loves and gives us an identity no longer based on race or career or family. All that God affirms, we affirm, all that he detests we detest. Dear reader, let God have his way with you.

By George Slover

“and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.”  (Haggai 2:7)

God promised after 70 years of captivity, a remnant of Jews would be allowed to return to Jerusalem. The first group was under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 536 BC. Their first mission was to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. This would be a challenging and sometimes discouraging work, thus God employed prophets like Haggai to encourage the people.

The message of these prophets would also include a glimpse of Israel’s future glory in Jesus Christ. While the message of Haggai was to encourage the temple builders to complete their mission, the full significance of this passage would only be realized in the work of the Messiah. The word “desire” suggests something that is pleasant, valuable, or beautiful. What is the desire of the nations?

All nations have desired a visible God; and such a revealed deity has been given to mankind in Jesus Christ. According to Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:11), God put eternity in the hearts of men. It seems that with mankind there is a universal instinct for worship. Those of every society have a longing for a god that is more than just a conception of the mind, but a being who is infinitely exalted, and one to whom they could enter into fellowship. Jesus Christ claimed to be that god, and the object of religious contemplation and worship. He claimed to be the image of the invisible God, saying “I and my father are one“ (John 10:30), and “he who has seen me has seen the father.““ (John 14:9)

Along with their longing for God, humans also possess a sense of unfitness to enter into fellowship with God. Thus, wherever men have sought fellowship with God, he also had an altar. Such altars were reserved for offering sacrifices out of a sense of impurity and the need for mercy. Only Jesus Christ, the longing of the nations, can supply the need of the human heart, and satisfy the justice of God. (John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Not only have men sought divine favor from God, but also desired trustworthy information from God. A direct connection with God has been explored in various ways: either through signs in the sky, a phenomena of nature, or through seers and sages. Some of these religions, such as Islam, Brahmanism, or Hinduism, have “sacred” books that supposedly reveal divine truths. But when Jesus came into the world, men would marvel at his teaching. “The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”(Matthew 7:28,29) God, though his prophets, has given us a book, the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) that teach his marvelous truths.

In almost all of man’s religions, there is belief of a future life beyond the grave. Both Hindus and Muslims believe in some sort of system of rewards and consequences that are realized after death. Even certain skeptics and philosophers have candidly revealed a longing for something better than life on earth. Jesus Christ answers man’s inquiries about the future life with clear and convincing information in comparison to the teachings of all other religions. With the appearing of Jesus Christ, death was abolished and life and immortality were offered through the gospel.

Both philosophy and history show that only Christ meets all the moral longings of humanity. The moral craving of humanity is satisfied in Christ, and in Christ only. Man desires reconciliation to his Creator. Man deeply desires an inner harmony of soul. This is the desire of the nations! This is offered only through Jesus Christ, the son of God.

By George Slover