Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Psalm 50:8-10, 14 (NLT)
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
Meal-planning and food preparation is a big part of feeding any family. At my house when dinner time rolls around hungry voices begin to ask, “what’s for dinner?” I enjoy cooking for my family, but there are days that it is just a chore. I can get caught up in a busy day and food can make it to the table in a rush or barely at all. It’s in these moments when I can find myself just feeding us rather than enjoying food and family. Driven by task and routine I can easily miss the sweetness of fellowship, thankfulness, and devotion.
Obviously people need food to eat, but long ago animals and food items such as oil or grain were also planned, purchased, and prepared for use in sacrifice and offerings to the LORD. He was quick to remind his people, however, that worship was to be taken seriously. Sacrifice was not just religious routine or grumbling obligation.
Fast forward to today. Christ’s work on the cross replaced the need for this type of Old Covenant sacrifice under the Law of God, but under the New Covenant of God’s grace we are still called to bring our first fruits as we worship and obey the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us that to obey the Lord is better than anything we could bring before Him. God doesn’t desire our leftover time, talents, and attention, but our first and best. Not our spare coins, but our cheerful tithe and best offering. It all belongs to God anyway. Psalm 50:12 says of God, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you for all the world is mine and everything in it.” In other words, you’re not feeding me, you’re worshipping me!
We live in a fast paced world and the daily speed of life leaves little time for reflection and devotion. As we choose to pause and seek the Lord, however, we truly die to self when we stop and ask God how He wants to use the blessings He has given us. We have so much to be thankful for today. Our circumstances will never change the truth that “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God…” (Psalm 50:1).
God’s covenant still stands—He is still our God and we are still his people. May our heart never lose the joy of worship. Reflect on the talents, abilities, and provision God has given you today and ask the Lord to show you how to truly honor Him with it and grow His Kingdom.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I come to you today with a pure heart ready to worship you this day. Forgive me for the times worship has been about me or just routine. Show me where to use my talents and abilities to bless others. Teach me. Soften my heart for sincere worship and sacrificial giving in order that you might further Your Kingdom! In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?