What God Wants

Read Psalm 50:7-15

"Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (vv. 14,15). The people had come to God's court and said, "You can't judge us. We have been offering You sacrifices." And God replied, "I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds" (vv. 8,9). He also said, "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness" (v. 12). He was saying, "When you bring Me these sacrifices, you are only giving to Me what I have already given to you.'

Think about that. When you put your offering in the plate, are you giving God something that isn't already His? Who gives you the strength to work? God. Who protects you to and from work? God. Who gives you the skills to work? God. Therefore, when we bring material offerings to Him (and He wants us to do this), we are only bringing what He already has given us. God wants us to give Him what He has not given us: "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14).

The sacrifices God wants most from us originate in our hearts--calling upon Him, thanking Him and obeying Him. Bring to Him thanksgiving and praise. God does not give us thanksgiving and then say, "Give it back to Me." No, He waits for us to praise Him. Bring to Him obedience: "Pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14). Bring to Him prayer: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (v. 15). When we bring these sacrifices, we glorify the Lord.

God wants your sacrifices to be from the heart. So often we receive from Him without returning thanks and praise. Do you want to bring glory to God this day? Thank Him for what He is doing for you. Obey His Word. Bring your problems to Him. These are all opportunities He can use to bring glory to Himself.

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