Today we return to the theme of SWEETNESS AND SWEET SACRIFICES - GRUDGES AND BITTERNESS AGAINST OTHERS HINDERS OUR PRAYERS
God said to His people in Jeremiah 6:20: “ To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.”
Having shared about the four compromises Pharaoh tried so hard to get Moses to yield to, let us not forget the main purpose God wanted His people out of Egyptian slavery and bondage. He wanted them to be a sweet people unto Him, using their freedom to offer Him free will sacrifices and offerings from grateful and willing hearts.
They were to demonstrate this through their lives and hearts that were not only willing and sacrificial towards God, but also towards one another. Only then could God accept their offerings and sacrifices as a sweet-smell to His nostrils.
The truth is still the same today. We deceive ourselves if we hold grudges, judgments, and coldness towards our spouse, any members of our family, or friends and neighbors, and at the same time still expect God to have regard to our ever-so-sweet offerings and sacrifices of praise, prayer, and worship. Such prayers and worship are not sweet to God at all.
In fact, such religion smells very bad to God. Frankly it stinks. Malachi 2:12, 13 says: “The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts. And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.”
Let’s also read the next verses in Malachi 2:14-16 NLT: “You cry out, ‘Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?’ I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And why does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. ‘For I hate divorce?’ says the LORD the God of Israel.”
Our Christian lives, prayers, offerings, and sacrifices are only acceptable unto God when we have learned to forgive one another, bless one another, pray for one another, and do good to one another, no matter what the cost. Do we want God to answer out prayers?
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell