Understanding God's Desire for Sincere Sacrifices

Psalm 51

Second Samuel 11-12 David lusted after his neighbor s wife. He committed adultery; she became pregnant. He made her husband drunk. He had him killed. He tried to cover the whole matter for at least a year.

God was holding David responsible for the death of Uriah (2 Sam. 12:9). David s sin called for the death penalty (Gen. 4:10, 9:6). O God, the God of my salvation O God, the God of my salvation

When our sins are forgiven, we can return to offering acceptable worship unto God. O Lord, open my lips With forgiveness comes a renewal of fellowship, and we can approach God with confidence (Heb. 10:19-22). O Lord, open my lips

This psalm is poetry exaggeration for effect. The statement must be qualified: God desires sacrifices given from sincere and obedient hearts.

This psalm is poetry exaggeration for effect. The statement must be qualified: God desires sacrifices given from sincere and obedient hearts. the voice of the Lord than rams "For knowledge of God more than burnt "For I desire mercy and not knowledge of God more than burnt offerings I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and sacrifice, and the offerings. . the Hosea 6:6 Hosea 6:6 in burnt offerings and sacrifices the voice of the Lord? Behold than sacrifice, and rams. So in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as So Samuel said : Has the Lord as great delight , as in obeying ? Behold, to obey is better sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of . Samuel said: Has the Lord as great delight in obeying , to obey is better to heed than the fat of 1 Samuel 15:22 1 Samuel 15:22

This psalm is poetry exaggeration for effect. The statement must be qualified: God desires sacrifices given from sincere and obedient hearts. Or of lambs or your hands are full of blood. To sacrifices to Me enough of burnt offerings of fed Or of lambs or goats your hands are full of blood. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? says enough of burnt offerings of rams and fed cattle. I goats what purpose is the multitude of your ? says the Lord the Lord. I . I have had rams and the fat of have had the fat of cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, do not delight in the blood of bulls, Isaiah 1:10 Isaiah 1:10- -15 15

The word contrite signifies repentance To feel deep sorrow or remorse for having sinned or done wrong. The word contrite is taken from an old Latin word which referred to something that was worn out or ground to pieces. This word perfectly describes David s feelings in this Psalm. repentance.

The word contrite signifies repentance To feel deep sorrow or remorse for having sinned or done wrong. The word contrite is taken from an old Latin word which referred to something that was worn out or ground to pieces. This word perfectly describes David s feelings in this Psalm. repentance. broken contrite spirit Psalm 34:18 "The heart "The Lord is near to those who have a heart, and Lord is near to those who have a broken , and saves such as have a saves such as have a contrite spirit. . Psalm 34:18 eternity, whose name is Holy holy place spirit the heart of the For eternity, whose name is Holy: I holy place, with spirit, to the heart of the contrite For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits : I dwell in the high and him who has a contrite and humble , to revive the spirit of the contrite ones thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits dwell in the high and contrite and humble humble, and ones. , with him who has a revive the spirit of the humble , and to revive to revive . Isaiah 57:15 Isaiah 57:15

The word contrite signifies repentance To feel deep sorrow or remorse for having sinned or done wrong. The word contrite is taken from an old Latin word which referred to something that was worn out or ground to pieces. This word perfectly describes David s feelings in this Psalm. repentance. , and all . But on this one contrite . Isaiah 66:2 For those things exist will I look spirit For all those things My hand has made those things exist, says will I look: on spirit, and all those things My hand has made, and , says the Lord : on him who is poor and of a , and who all the Lord. But on this one him who is poor and of a contrite who trembles at My word trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:2 so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, And so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not the tax collector, standing afar off, would not God, , be merciful to me a sinner be merciful to me a sinner! ! Luke 18:13 Luke 18:13

There is no doubt Davids sin and guilt had a negative impact upon the entire nation. People suffer from the sins of those in leadership positions: husbands, parents, elders, etc.

Sin leaves a debilitating stain that man cannot remove. God will blot out, wash, cleanse, purge, and deliver us from the guilt of our sins. Forgiveness is available, but only if we seek it on God s terms. Our proper response to receiving God s forgiveness is to Praise Him and convert sinners.