“Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter – you are just there in front of the fire. You don’t have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.” – Desmond Tutu

+++

Listen to my song “I Stand in the Light” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books at the links following the scripture reflection. Thank you!

+++

Daniel 3:39-40

But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bulls, or tens of thousands of fat lambs. So let our sacrifice be in your presence today and find favor before you.

+++

The people at the time of the Book of Daniel believed that you needed to sacrifice animals to gain favor with God.

It’s likely due to the unfortunate things that befell people in life and how they tried to make sense of it all.

They thought that when bad things happened, God must be mad at them.

So they had to appease God some way.

When Jesus came along, he ended this sacrificial practice.

He said, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13).

Jesus was referring to a similar statement by God through the prophet Hosea (6:6).

God does not want us to kill other things to make God happy.

It seems bizarre that this statement even has to be made.

But we still adhere to this practice when we kill people whom we deem evil.

Or when we expel or cast-out people from groups when we disagree with their beliefs or actions.

Our egos believe, since we are in the right and they are in the wrong (determined by us of course), then God is on our side.

So, why not just get rid of them?

But God is on everyone’s side.

All are equally loved.

All are we!

That’s why Jesus commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus actually became the one rejected in the most horrendous manner to show us how wrong it is to do this!

The fact is, the first line in today’s scripture verse gets it: “With contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received.”

God wants your heart.

Let go of your ego’s self-centeredness.

Sacrifice that.

Then humbly allow your spirit to act with the same unconditional love that God bestows on you.

+++

Listen to the song of the day “I Stand in the Light” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!