Pleasing God: The Heart of Sacrifice

Verses:Leviticus 1:1-3.

"And the Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock—of the herd or of the flock.' If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord."

In Leviticus 1, God outlines the requirements for a pleasing sacrifice, emphasizing that it's not the smell of the burnt sacrifice that turns to a sweet savor, but rather the wholehearted desire to please Him that becomes evident in a perfect sacrifice. This desire is what makes the sacrifice acceptable, not just the physical act or external rituals. A perfect sacrifice requires willingness, purity, and devotion.

The emphasis is on the heart, as David wrote in Psalm 51:16-17, "You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise." In our lives, what constitutes a perfect sacrifice is surrendering our will to God's plans, offering our time, talents, and resources willingly, and pursuing holiness and purity.

Our sacrifices, like the burnt offering, must be motivated by a deep desire to please God. When we offer ourselves to Him with a whole heart, our sacrifices become a sweet savor. May we understand that pleasing God is not about external actions, but about the condition of our hearts.

Prayer:

Oh Heavenly Father, help us grasp the true meaning of sacrifice. May our hearts be filled with a deep desire to please You. Purify our motives and actions. Accept our offerings as a sweet savor. Transform us into living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to You. Amen.