Title
God’s Priorities
Scripture
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
(Hosea 6:6)
Devotional
Unfortunately, many sacrifices and offerings are nothing more than Prideful gestures of self–righteousness. We are to make sacrifices and we are to give offerings, but not in lieu of showing mercy and knowing God. Jesus said it this way, “Woe to you... hypocrites! For you pay tithe(s)... and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” We want to do one or the other. God says do both. Nevertheless, mercy is more important than making a sacrifice; even though a sacrifice appears to be more noble. The same applies to giving offerings. Sometimes it is easier to give an offering than to know the purpose and will of God. When God calls for one thing and we give another, we are saying that we are more righteous than He. We are not. As Samuel said to Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”