what does God really want?

Behold, you desire truth in the inward being,

you teach me wisdom in the hidden heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

For you do not desire sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

..then will you delight in sacrifices of righteousness.

- from Psalm 51

In the Old Testament (before Christ was crucified on the cross, conquering sin and death forever), sacrifices were made to make atonement for sin.

Such sacrifices

Were outward demonstrations

An external depiction of repentance for wrongdoings.

The psalmist here is contrasting

The external with the internal.

He is contrasting the overt expressions of repentance

With the hidden ones: 

A broken spirit 

A contrite heart

In true sorrow and repentance

a heart that grieves for the way God’s love has been rejected

when sin — instead — was chosen…

…it is this manner of inner sacrifice

of repentance and turning to righteousness

the humble request for God to

purify one’s heart and renew a right spirit

..this is what pleases God.

If you’re like most Americans, you resist asking for anything. For help, for advice, for anything. In some ways, it’s just easier to do it yourself. Even if it is something difficult. Because to admit failure or need is often more uncomfortable than dealing with the consequences yourself.

What God prefers is in some ways a harder ask, isn’t it?

Harder but better. Necessary. Required.

We are faced again with our great need for God and for His Spirit

To empower us to live with clean hearts and renewed spirits

So that we can turn again and again from sin

And set our eyes and purpose our hearts

To live with godly righteousness

To the glory of His holy name.

This is what God wants from us.

This is how we make our Father in Heaven smile with pride at his precious and beloved child.

A Prayer

Merciful and loving Father, forgive us for our mistrust and rejection of Your good and beautiful ways designed for own wholeness. Create in us hearts that are tender toward your love, quick to repent of our rejection of your love and commandment to love others. You, alone, can move upon our hearts and compel us to live with righteousness. Move upon us today, we pray. Amen.