Jumping Through Hoops

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth: Some people think they need to jump through spiritual hoops to earn God’s favor.

Woman 1: When I forget to read the Bible and pray, I just don’t think God likes me very much.

Woman 2: I tithe every paycheck; I don’t want to make God upset!

Woman 3: I just don’t feel close to God. Maybe going on that missions trip with my church would help.

Nancy: You know, all those activities are great, but in and of themselves they won’t get us closer to God. God isn’t interested in our hollow religious acts or sacrifices, no matter how impressive they may be.

King David understood that. In Psalm 51 he prayed, “You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.”

So what does God care about? David gives the answer in verse 17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.”

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth.

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