A broken and contrite heart

Often the old testament can get boring and the gung-ho start to reading the whole bible though becomes a mundane task that has little joy.  I generally end up at that point after a few chapters in Leviticus.  However, this time while listing to the audio bible all the laws and sacrifices fascinated me.  And then this weekend i turned to Malachi and in chapter 1 the Lord is angry with the people because they have defiled his name by "presenting defiled food upon My altar." (vs7)  The Lord of Host explains what they have done in vs 8:

"But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil?"

So going back to Leviticus and the law, the Lord has required our best.  He wants a 1 year old lamb with out blemish or spot.  Nothing else will do.  So giving Him the sheep that is no use to you because its blind or lame defiles the Lords name!  Later in the book in chapter 2 the Lord of Hosts says:

“This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand."

So not only did they defile the Lords name but they cried to Him when He removed His blessing from them. Notice all the capitol H's.  The Lord does not need us, and we surly don't deserve a blessing.  But while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!  But this does not give us a liscence to do what ever we please.  Acording to Psalm 51:16-17 it is not about what we give to the Lord but our heart in giving...


"For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

So, lets not give the Lord a defiled sacrifice!  That is lets not give him the parts of our hearts that are not needed else-ware.  Lets not give Him the lame, sick and blind, but lets give Him our best.  Our hearts, pure and holy as an undefiled sacrifice!

In closing, Galatians 5:13:
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Lets use our freedom in Christ for His glory and offer our hearts as a pleasing sacrifice!