If I had a nickel for every time my two daughters had conflict. The offense could be teasing, hitting, not sharing, or a million other things. After talking privately with each of them, I would bring the girls back together, stand them face-to-face and instruct the offender to say, “I’m sorry. It was wrong for me to __.” Occasionally, I would even ask them to hold hands, which caused them to roll their eyes at this admittedly awkward parenting strategy.
My goal was not for them to robotically repeat words or to just go through the motions to avoid punishment. As they practiced the external act of reuniting and verbally confessing their sin, my hope was that an inner posture of repentance would grow and that reconciliation would follow. My methods seemed external, yet my goal was always to shape their hearts.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see how God established specific ways for His people to relate to Him and to others. The Ten Commandments set clear parameters for God’s people. First and foremost was the non-negotiable command to avoid all idolatry: to only worship the one true God (Exodus 20:3). In addition to the Ten Commandments, God gave many other instructions detailing how to conduct civil life, participate in temple worship, and offer sacrifices.
What was the point of all these commands? Was God’s goal to create robotic rule-followers? Definitely not! God’s methods may seem external, but He was always fighting for their hearts. God’s goal was reconciliation and intimacy with His people. This is true for us today as well.
“When I brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt,
I did not speak with them or command them concerning burnt offering and sacrifice.
However, I did give them this command: ‘Obey me, and then I will be your God,
and you will be my people. Follow every way I command you
so that it may go well with you’” (Jeremiah 7:22–23).
The God of all creation was pursuing relationship with His people—not moralistic law keeping. But they stubbornly resisted and forfeited intimacy by chasing false gods from the nations around them. They went through the motions of worshipping God in the temple, but their hearts were distant from Him. They shamelessly broke the Ten Commandments, which were actually God’s gracious blueprint for how to remain faithful, free, and flourishing.
We hear Jeremiah’s anguish as he weeps and wails over this wayward nation (Jeremiah 9:10). Over six hundred years later, we hear a similar lament from Jesus who weeps as He grieves over Jerusalem. Jesus ached for those so bent on human effort and religious duty that they could not recognize that Jesus, the Messiah, was in their midst.
Oh, if I had a nickel for every time I disobey God’s commands, for every time I trust in my external actions to validate me before God and others, for every time my heart grows cold and blind to Jesus.
Oh Lord, I confess that I’m the offender. I’m sorry. It is wrong for me to trust in my own efforts and to chase after things that deliver a mere, momentary buzz of satisfaction and security. Thank you for letting me hear that You long for more. You’ve always fought for the hearts of Your people. I’m so grateful You’re eternally, lovingly pursuing mine.
Patti Sauls lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband Scott and daughters, Abby and Ellie, where they serve alongside the people of Christ Presbyterian Church. Prior to living in Nashville, the Sauls planted churches in Kansas City and Saint Louis and served at New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church. A trained speech therapist, Patti also enjoys serving behind the scenes, hiking with friends, and reading good books.
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75 thoughts on "Obedience over Sacrifice"
When our two daughters were young and in conflict over anything (and really, it could indeed be over anything), my solution was much like we read in the devotion today. They had to face each other and say “I’m sorry.” But that was not satisfactory without also asking “Will you forgive me?“ Fortunately the offense was never so severe that the answer was no. Expressing remorse and then seeking reconciliation through forgiveness became a hallmark of resolving conflict in our family. Yes sometimes it was said begrudgingly and half-heartedly but it was a good step forward. And they were more sincere as they got older and the offenses were less.
This kind of reconciliation after conflict is God’s way with me too, only better. I know my sin. I know when I’ve offended. I know when I’ve missed the mark. As a Christian, I’m embarrassed and so sorry and often very hard on myself because I’ve failed my Savior again. I say “I’m sorry, Lord. Will You forgive me?” His reply? “Always, My child. Always.” Deep sigh of relief. Gratitude. Humility. Because I know this sin now forgiven won’t be my last.
Sisters, nothing can separate us from the love of God. Jeremiah outlined the sins of Israel and they were monumental. Our sins are every bit as offensive. But, dear friends, every one is also forgivable. Israel could walk in the freedom that came with repentance as can we today. Let us not stay stuck in habitual sin and shame and embarrassment over our failures. Let us ask for and accept His forgiveness. We are frail human beings prone to failure. But we are not failures in the eyes of our heavenly Father. We are His beloved children. Let us live, as our devotional author writes, free, faithful and flourishing. That’s the life He desires for us. The abundant life. So right now stop and listen for His still small voice as He whispers to you “I forgive you always. Because I love you always. Always. Remember that, dear child. Come to me anytime. Ask me again. My answer will be the same. I forgive you always. I love you always. Always.” Walk away believing. On second thought, no. Don’t walk away… Dance! And twirl! Skip! Because you’re forgiven and free and so greatly loved – for always!
Thanks for posting. I feel sorrow over my sin and ask for forgiveness, but it is hard to trust that God’s response to me is that I’m forgiven. I know in my head this is the gospel. But I am stiff-necked, and it is hard for the truth to travel to my heart, if that makes sense. My hope is in Jesus that I am forgiven, even when I don’t feel forgiven, but I long for the joy that comes with knowing this truth deeply. Rejoicing in it. How to make this change happen? I am not sure I know how. I am not sure that I can at all… I feel stuck here.
This was such a good read. It’s really forcing me to look at my own heart and my intentions. How many times do I do the lip service or the “nice” thing to look good? Lord, help me to be pure of heart!
Day 8
Kristen, your prayer hit me hard. It made me relate to my situation with my own children. On Friday I was weeping out of frustration over one of them. Wow, is this how the Lord feels about me? When I reject an opportunity to share His love, when I turn a blind eye to sin, when I let distractions take me away from reading and meditating on His Word?
God is Creator.
He could have made us obedient robots, but He gave a choice. Opportunity for relationship.
It begins with my heart-moves to my head-out through my eyes, mouth, hands, and feet.
God is Holy.
He knew my choices would include self-centered evil, eliminating relationship. Love paid my debt, Jesus.
His redemption begins on the throne of my heart-moves to my head-and out through my eyes, mouth, hands, and feet.
God is Trinity.
God my Father, makes me an heir and I rest in His arms and trust His care.
Jesus, the Son, CAME, took on human form, became the example. His cross built the bridge to get us Home.
God the Holy Spirit guides through each moment of today.
Listen and follow and our heart becomes more like His, our mind transformed, our eyes see His vision, our mouth speaks His words, our hands reach out in service and gentle touch, while our feet move steadily towards Home…
In relationship.
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…yet God, “His faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth.”
Oh Lord, may we be more like You today.
Just letting you know that my app missed most of Jeremiah 7 text (only showing verse 1), rest of the reading was complete though. Thanks!
Lord help me control the Baals – my marriage and family. Without You FIRST OVER ALL nothing fits.
Jesus wept over them. Jeremiah wept. This makes me think of how Jesus could still weep today. When will we/ I learn? Imagine Jesus weeping! He longed for them to get it! He was in their midst and they didn’t receive Him. Is He in my midst and I don’t get that? I would never say or do some things in front of certain people. I wouldn’t want them to see me act like that. Yet, I can do that in front of the Holy God of the Universe? Please forgive me God! Change me.God and make me sensitive to anything that displeases You. Help me to stop and change me from the inside out. I don’t want You to weep over me and my actions or hard heart, or thoughts of righteousness. Help me to see the depths of my sin, and the need for a Savior. Let that bring repentance and joy that lead others to You. Amen
Beautiful words. I prayed this prayer too.
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