Sacrifice or Gratitude, Choose One
God doesn’t need things…
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. 11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. 13 Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? 14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” ~psalm 50:9-15~
first an explanation of sacrifice in the old testament by st. andrews’ encyclopedia of theology:
God was seen to have instituted sacrifice as a powerfully evocative multi-purpose means for faulty human beings to demonstrate faith in him, draw near to him, receive his covenant to become his holy people, maintain his presence with them, be freed from guilt, regain purity, and celebrate his salvific actions on their behalf (see Reconciliation).
sacrifice was to make yourself “right” with God, and based on what you did or sin you committed there were 5 types of ‘offerings’ that were acceptable in God’s eyes.
burnt
grain
peace
sin
trespass
simply praying and saying you’re sorry didn’t cut it back then and atonement was called for or you were separated from God from those you love and the people around you, similarly and more painful, you were put to death for some sins. to learn more, click here: sacrifice in The Bible…. by fellowship of israel related ministries.
in these verses, God is simply reminding everyone that sacrifices isn’t important to Him or that He needs it (paraphrased and is my interpretation). the ‘it’ being some physical being (animal) as all that is on earth is His to begin with. from the act of doing something to apologize for your wrongdoing to taking steps with a heart transformation, speaking words of gratitude, asking forgiveness, you go from a performance-based relationship (physical) to one of trust, hope and belief (spiritual). the former you have to do something, the latter someone did it for us.
what does The Lord tell us, that “thankfulness” is our true sacrifice and we must remember and observe our promises. this is not a passive suggestion; this is an absolute. in doing so we are given another awesome promise - that when we are in trouble that we can call on Him and He will be there for us; and when He does we will be able to glorify Him in front of whomever is there. i like to do so in front of those who do not believe in Jesus/God so all will know who provides and protects me in whatever i’m dealing with and going through.
it does not take a lot of time to show appreciation to thank our Heavenly Father. it doesn’t need to be long and elaborate. what it does require is having a heart and mind that is 100% committed in our relationship and walk with Him. to simply say, “thank you” God, “thank you” Jesus for…… (fill in the blank) because i truly mean it, that the transforming mercy and grace extended to me cannot be bought as it was already paid for by our Lord. how can i not be grateful for all that has been done for me and my family?
Father God, you abolished the ‘law of sacrifice’ when your Son, Jesus, came and died for our sins. for that i am thankful for all He did for me, for my family, and for all those that i love. it is finished in Him, so please never let me forget to acknowledge your lovingkindness, goodness and grace. it is because of what was done for me that allows me to write this. may my heart acknowledge and that the words spoken to you will always match how much i/we love you! in Jesus’ name i pray, amen!