Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Hosea 6: 6-7
6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
6:7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
When Sacrifices Are Repugnant—
[Hosea 6:6, 7 quoted.] The many sacrifices of the Jews and the flowing of blood to atone for sins for which they felt no true repentance was ever repugnant to God. He spoke through Micah saying, [Micah 6:6-8 quoted]. {4BC 1174.6}
Costly gifts and a semblance of holiness cannot win the favor of God. He requires for His mercies a contrite spirit, a heart open to the light of truth, love and compassion for our fellow men, and a spirit refusing to be bribed through avarice or self-love. The priests and rulers were destitute of these essentials to God’s favor, and their most precious gifts and gorgeous ceremonies were an abomination in His eyes (The Signs of the Times, March 21, 1878.) {4BC 1174.7}
The exhibitions put on by the priests and rulers of having a form of Godliness was an absolute abomination to God. God looked upon them as dealing treacherously against Him when they offered up their burnt offerings. God is a God of mercy. The Almighty did not appreciate their sacrifices, as they were not repentant of their sins. God requires obedience before sacrifices. God showed them what was good: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Therefore, it is the same for God’s children today. As said today, one must not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap. Surrender yourself to God and die to self-daily. Pick up your cross and follow Him. Faithfully commune with Him through unceasing prayer. Confess and repent of all sin. God pardons iniquity and does not retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy. He will have compassion and will subdue our iniquities and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Look unto the LORD and wait for the God of salvation and He will hear. Be still and know that He is God.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come to You as Your children in thanksgiving and praise. We thank You for all Your love and mercy, compassion, and grace. There is no God like You, which pardons iniquity. You do not stay angry because You delight in mercy. You have compassion on us and help us to overcome our sins and blot them out. Therefore, we look to You our God of salvation. Thank You for hearing our supplications. Thank You for Your spirit and light that leads us, guides us, and keeps us on a safe path. We pray for You to abide in us and us in You. We pray not to have a form of Godliness rather that we have the indwelling of Your Spirit. We pray to behold Your righteousness. We pray that You feed us with Your rod, the servants of Your heritage. Let all the nations see and awe at all Your might. We pray they see Your character in us, not just by the words we speak but also by our actions. To let them see what is good and justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with You. We pray for all to have a knowledge of You, Your love and mercy, and all the wonderful promises that are theirs to claim. Mostly, we pray that they will step forward into the light and claim the victory over sin You have won on their behalf. That they accept You as their Lord and Savior, believe on You as the son of God, and confess and repent of their sins. We pray they cease in doing and believing all the things of this world they idolize that hold them in bondage to the enemy. We pray they follow You, that they may know the truth that will make them free. All the glory to You. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen
תגובות