The sacrifice pleasing to God

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. Psalm 51:17 CSB

            We are so good at preserving our pride, and vindicating ourselves by our own devices. We would penetrate to God’s Throne with craft, and technique, and with formula, and sheer force of will. We humble ourselves in posture, but only in posture. Have we forgotten who we are? Have we forgotten who He is?

            Even on our best day how could we come before God in any attitude but humility? On our very best day how could not be broken in His holy presence? I tell you there is great mercy in calamity whether it is widespread or immediate. Affliction is often the medicine we need to treat our disease of pride. Oh what a disease it is that can taint our offerings beyond acceptance, and cause our prayers to be ignored.

If the spirit enters unbroken how shall it leave whole? If you come without need how shall you leave with your needs met? If  you come in your own strength how shall you find greater strength? If you come thinking you have already brought some with you how shall you carry so many better things back with you? In prideful prayer you defeat yourself. In humble prayer of broken heart you shall ever find victory, for shall find God.

             The problem with our prayers is not our posture in praying, or our technique of praying, or lack of emotional engagement, or even the brevity of our payers. Our great problem is that we have forgotten what prayer really is. When we pray we enter the august glorious presence of the almighty God seated on His eternal throne.  Even we come to speak with God Himself in all His glory. All we who have sinned and fallen far short of that glory the imperfect standing before the perfect and He awaits our words. If it does not break a spirit to think of, I tell you that spirit is indeed broken onto death, and even death eternal.

Prayer

Lord make us to know humility, break us that You might make us whole. Thank you for deeming to hear our prayers let us pray in a spirit acceptable to You. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Song

Come Ye Sinners

 

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