2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Today, we look at a verse that reminds us of something important. As I often mention, but cannot stress enough, so many believe that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. Well, rather that the way God was in the Old Testament, and the things He wanted, and His Character, is much different from how we know Him today. Yet let us be reminded, that the Lord NEVER changes!

Today we are reminded in the Word of God, of something the Lord has said. He has said in today’s verse, that if His People who are called by His name simply humble themselves, pray, seek His Face, and repent from their wicked ways . . . He will hear them and forgive them and bless them!

So very many people say that the Lord God actually wanted animal sacrifices and burnt offerings, so He made the people offer such sacrifices to Him so that He could then forgive them for their sins. However, The Lord did not want those sacrifices, but rather they were necessary because of the lack of faith the people had, and their lack of obedience to Him in other areas of their lives!

Why would God want animal sacrifices? As the Lord says in His Word, in Psalm 50:8-15 “I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High; And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” And in Psalm 51:16-17 “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Yes, the Lord accepted the sacrifices, because the people were obedient to what He said for them to do. Yes, the Lord even shows in His Word that the sacrifices were a sweet smelling savour to Him . . . however, does the Lord smell the burnt flesh, and enjoy it? No, the sweet smelling savour was their obedience, and faithfulness! This is why in Psalm 51:19, it shows that He will accept the sacrifice of righteousness, with burnt offering and so forth. Yet, ONLY if Righteousness is involved, “Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.”

Yet, looking at today’s verse, let us forever be reminded. Even in the Old Testament, the Lord much rather wanted His People to follow Him, to repent from their sins, seek His Face and His Righteousness! If they would only love the Lord as the Lord loved them . . . THAT is what the Lord wants, and wanted even from the foundation of the world!

To this day, it isn’t a matter of what we do, but rather what we do in Obedience to the Lord. Now of course there is sin, and righteousness, that we must abide by. We cannot go around doing evil deeds and then say that it doesn’t matter, “The Lord knows my heart.” Nor can we go around and refuse to do righteousness, and say “The Lord knows my heart.” Well He certainly does, and He also knows that the actions we do, show openly what is really concealed in our hearts! If we refuse to follow the Word of God, even the small parts of it, and say that it is fine because the Lord knows where we stand, well then the Lord definitely does know that we stand in pride and arrogance, and refuse to actually Follow Him because you want to do whatever YOU want to do.

The Lord doesn’t want outward alms that are put on for a show and nothing else. The Lord wants Obedience and faithfulness!

Just as the Lord says today, to humble ourselves, pray, seek His Face, and “Go and Sin No More,” the Lord said that in the Old Testament. The God of the Old Testament, is the same God of the New Testament. The only difference is that we now have that which is Perfect, Jesus Christ, come to us and we walk with Him, the only way to God Almighty! Praise God for His Grace and Wondrous, Glory, and everlasting blessings!

I love you dearly and continue to pray for you each and every day. May the Lord bless you greatly and abundantly, and may you in turn Bless the Lord! May He guide us in His Word of Truth, always! I pray that you have a wonderful day today!

Love in Christ, Always,
Your friend forever,
And brother,
Chris/Michael

+++++++++++
Psalm 139:17 “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”

#627