To obey in the first instance is always better than sacrifice! But when we realise our disobedience, there is a place for a broken or repentant heart to be at home or peace with the Lord.

 

In Samuel 15:22, Samuel said to Saul has the Lord great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, *to obey is better than sacrifice*, And to heed than the fat of rams. 

 

David understood the importance of obedience; hence, he said in Psalms 24:3-4 who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

 

Isaiah 59:1-2 reads, behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. 

 

In Ps 51:17, David acknowledges that he faulters and reveals that God's sacrifices are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.

 

David lived through both experiences of obeying God and being broken before God, intending not to be far from God or seek help elsewhere. Hebrews 12:1-2a read - therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,...

 

In Psalm 41: 4, David demonstrated his brokenness before by praying -  Lord, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You. Also, in Ps 51:3-4, David was quite repentant after having gone into Bathsheba's wife. He said -  For I acknowledge my transgressions And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. In verses 10-11 of the same chapter, he further prayed - create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

 

No matter how we have drifted away, we should always seek to be in the safe hands of our Lord. Despite David's plea, brokenness and repentance, he paid for his sins by losing the child born to him by Bathsheba's wife. However, he restored his relationship with God and kept going with God.

 

1. Lord, help me live obediently rather than by sacrifice.

 

2. Lord, help me know my wrongdoings and acknowledge my faults.

 

3. Lord, give me a broken and contrite heart.