The Heart of Sacrifice

And Samuel said,
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has also rejected you from being king.”
(1 Samuel 15:22-23 ESV)
Saul was proud and presumptuous. Not a good mix for pleasing God.  All of the sacrifices, offerings and rituals in the world will not offset a heart bent on disobeying and dishonoring God and His Word.  It is not that God did not want the offerings and sacrifices to be given. He did. But he wanted them from a humble, dependent, obedient heart.  A heart of sacrifice is full of thanksgiving, submission, and awe at the goodness and wisdom of God.  Whether it be celebrating a victory or entering a scary situation, sacrifice from the heart involves simply giving back to God what already belongs to Him, including our very lives.