Ears and Sacrifice?

A chilly morning this morning and now they are calling for snow! It was 77 degrees yesterday. Wow! What a change…but it’s cozy inside.

This morning I was reading my Daily Light, a devotional book that I have used since I was a little girl. Each day is divided into morning and evening and is a compilation of scriptures that are related by subject. A wonderful book. I prefer the old King James Version since that was the way I have always read it and it is familiar. Anyway, one of the verses this morning was from Psalms 40. verse 6 to be precise. It says, “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire: mine ears hast thou hast opened…” I stopped and thought what do ears have to do with sacrifice? It seemed like an odd juxtaposition. I looked in my marginal notes to see if there was any clarification. It said for he word, “opened” possibly could mean, “pierced”.

In ancient days when a slave was to be freed yet chose to stay with his master; the master pierced the slave’s ear. Then I recalled Romans 12:1 where Paul encourages us to make our bodies a living sacrifice. I then interpreted the meaning to be that of God not wanting sacrifices. He would have us choose to be a living sacrifice. Giving Him our total selves. That made sense to me. It isn’t easy but that’s what God wants from me – all of me. No less than that.

Then I read from my New Living translation and the Psalms 40:6 reads this way: “You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand – you don’t require burnt offferings or sin offerings…I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Often we give God what we want to give Him. We follow the “law”: getting up early for devotions, tithing, being kind to our neighbor even though their dog barks incessantly, being at church every time the doors open…you know the drill. Trying to please God on my terms. While all of that is good, it’s not what He desires – He wants all of me. And all of you.

0 replies
  1. Bob
    Bob says:

    Yes Ruth, All too often we go by our own rules …All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him
    the iniquity of us all…Isaiah. 53 v 6.
    In my meditation of him this week , it was brought home to me just how much he loves us, for he made himself of no reputation , and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men . This is Jesus the King of glory , the creator of the universe, yet he was willing to bear the mocking and cruelty of his creature man, and be crucified so that he could redeem us for himself , it is totally mind blowing , God bless you Ruth.

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  2. Lynne Oliver
    Lynne Oliver says:

    I just discovered this blog. I have been struggling with depression and I have cried out to God for help. I believe this blog is part of His answer. Thank you. Our family is hurting due to divorce and the fallout that brings. I want my joy restored and I know what to do, but your encouragement is a blessing. thank you.

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  3. Kathi Saric
    Kathi Saric says:

    Amen to that Ruth. I have been contemplating lately that He is looking for a level of surrender that will allow Him to ask something of us (such as go and share this kind word with that person (stranger to us) over there and we would be willing. A loving obedience learnt through our suffering just as Christ did. Whereas when I offer sacrifices on my terms there is no real surrender or submission that avails me to be fully available to God without question or measure. But ALL OF ME IS SURRENDERED as a living sacrifice. A high call and definitely a challenge, hence why I think we need to fall in love first and respond from a place of loving Him with ALL of our being and from that place give ALL of our self.
    Blessings,
    Kathi (Australia)

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  4. Shirley Cooper
    Shirley Cooper says:

    I Have just joined the blog Ruth.
    I heard your Dad in Melbourne Australia when I was a teenager. I always thought how handsome he looked. I have been a Christian for a long time and learning more of His New Covenant Promises now after a difficult journey through a few marriages. Thankyou for the way you just keep going. Kindest regards,
    Shirley

    Reply
    • ruthgraham
      ruthgraham says:

      Welcome to my blog! I was in Melbourne a couple of years ago…what a neat city. Kathi Saric was my “hostess” and we were blessed to know her. One of the thrills of my life was being able to stand on the infield of the Melbourne Cricket Grounds…my father holds the attendance record there – even after so many years. It was very emotional for me as I looked out at that vast stadium and imagined what my father saw and what God did in that place.

      Reply

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