1 Samuel 15:22 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.

Samuel confronted Saul after he rejected God. He was reminded that God had been there throughout his life and had allowed him to be king over all Israel.

When Saul said that he was offering the best of the haul from the wars he was reminded that God wanted Saul to listen to His words and not to do what he thought was right.

Many times in our lives we think we can bring more glory to God by doing things our own way! Not so! Listen to God first of all! Obey Him second. That is all…

Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

God spoke to the people through the prophets because many of us are too hard at heart to listen to God. We have lived in this corrupt world which has hardened our hearts in many ways.

The sacrifices were designed to soften people’s heart as they made them; but they too lost their effectiveness when people hardened their hearts again.

God wants us to come to Him with open hearts and willing to receive; that means allowing those walls we build up to be broken down by Him…

Easier said than done; but try we must.

Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

It is all very well to give what we can directly to God through praise, prayers, giving, worship and whatever other act we can because this is all very pleasing to God.

But what about the people around us? God wants us to show others kindness and love. When Christ reminded us to love our neighbours it was not just something He said!

God wants us to show love to others, not when we can afford it, but always. If it costs us, all the better because we are sacrificing to do it.

We are sacrificing to do it for His people. Not for ourselves!