Returning to my thoughts about what pleases God, the scriptures teach that God likes for his people to be humble.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(Psa 51:16-17)
Too often I find myself thinking more of my accomplishments than I should. I find myself thinking “Wow that was awesome. I did that!” When in reality God did that through me. He doesn’t need me to do it, he just used me to work through. If not me, then he would use someone else. God is not pleased when I have an attitude like this.
Oh but when God works in a wonderful way and I find myself humbled by his presence. Realizing that He is God and I am just an instrument he uses, he is pleased. When I cry out to him with a broken heart, agonizing over someone’s need; When I find myself crushed by my failure; When I plead for him because I am helpless on my own. He is pleased. Like a father who has a child that tries to do it on his own and then finally gives in and ask his Father to help. I remember times when my boys would say,” Fix this Daddy, I broke it.” I remember the joy I felt in being there to help them. I wonder if this is what God feels when we go to him with a broken life and say, “Fix this Daddy.”
I had the pleasure of hearing a new song by Amy Grant this week and was blessed. The song is titled “Better than a Hallelujah” and was written by Sarah Hart and Chapin Hartford. The lyrics to the first verse are as follows;