That's Not What I Said

Reading from April 22, 09
I Sam.25-26; Ps.63; Matt. 9

TOPIC: Compassion

SCRIPTURE: “I desire compassion and NOT sacrifice for I did NOT come to call the righteous, but sinners ” (Matthew 9:13)

OBSERVATION: Here are some other passages that communicate the same idea.
Hosea 6:6-8 God doesn’t want sacrifices, he wants our loving loyalty. He wants us to acknowledge Him
I Sam.15:22-23 Obedience is far better than sacrifice
Ps. 40:6-8 God doesn’t want burnt offerings He wants our lifelong service
Ps. 51:16-19 God isn’t interested in penance He wants a broken repentant heart
Jer. 7:21-23 God wants our simple obedience
Amos 5:21-24 God hates pretense and hypocrisy He wants to see us doing what is right
Micah Do what is right love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord

APPLICATION: Being a father of three girls ( I did say wonderful, right!?!)
I can’t tell you how many times while doing the debriefing of a situation gone bad
one of them will share their side of the story.
All the while thinking of course
(O how “Thinking”can get us into trouble at times)
that she has been representing me (Good O Dad) to one if not both of her sisters.
I have had to inform her of the fact that “That’s NOT what I said”!!!

So many times growing up my parents would tell me to do something and then leave for a couple of hours
Wanting to impress them I would at times Sacrifice to the point of shedding blood sweat and tears
ONLY to discover upon their arrival
that what I had done
was NOT
And I mean NOT what they wanted.
Though many times they appreciated what I did do
At least that’s what they said
They would inevitably say, “That’s NOT What I Said” for you to do!

Though appreciative for the sacrifice
What I really wanted…What I said for you to do was___________________

What about you?
Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you lately
Are you doing what He said or are you adding to it
Thus missing the point altogether?

PRAYER: Daddy God, you know me, I’ve chosen the hard way, way too many times. Help me to keep is simple and begin today working smart, NOT hard