I Kings 3:2 NKJV
“Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lord until those days.”
The Israelites used the excuse that they did not have a place to worship God in order to use the high places. These high places were defiled and therefore not an acceptable place for worship to God. God had specifically told the people that He would not accept defiled worship. The people tried to justify their sinful actions.
Justify – defend; to make right; to make something seem reasonable; to give an acceptable reason or excuse for taking a particular action; to give a reason or explanation why something was done; to give legal reason for something.
Sincerity – honesty and genuineness; honesty in the expression of true or deep feelings; freedom from pretense or deceit.
Obedience – act of obeying; the act or practice of following instructions; complying with rules or regulations; submitting to authority; doing what one is told.
God tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. Sincerity and obedience are the prerequisites for worship that pleases God. Disobedience in our worship is idolatry because we are putting our will before God’s will.
1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV
“So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.’ ”
Today people still try to justify their sin. As long as we dabble with high places, mix the things of the world with our worship to God, we will set ourselves up for pain, trouble and eventually judgment. Denying God’s authority, even concerning worship, always has consequences.
Dear Father,
Help me to remember that obedience is better than sacrifice. I desire to offer unto You worship that pleases You. Holy Spirit help me not to put my will before God’s will. Don’t allow me to make excuses for my sin or to try to justify them. Help me to see my sin as You do and ask for forgiveness. Help me to live a life of obedience and sincerity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Light 6 candles.
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