The Sacrifice desired by God Psalms 51:16-17 “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 4:3-5 “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. 4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still. Selah. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the LORD.” I Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams.” If we pay careful attention to the above verses, they bring out some interesting facts. In the first place, God does not delight in burnt offerings. The sacrifice that He prefers is a broken spirit and a contrite heart. He wants us to stand in awe and not sin. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness: Put our trust in the Lord and finally obey the voice of the Lord. The biblical word 'contrite' has little meaning for people today. However, this obscure word signifies an important condition that is necessary for our spiritual growth. A contrite heart is so necessary for our spiritual development that the person who has never had one may not be prepared for God's Kingdom. In the Bible, the words contrite or broken (in reference to the heart or mind) occur relatively few times. However, the biblical concept of humility and acceptance of divine providence, which results from trials, is commonly seen. This theme of humility and acceptance is repeated throughout Scripture. The contrite person enjoys special care from God. After all, the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open unto their cry. In Isaiah 57, we find a qualification for receiving spiritual healing. This condition was required of physical Israel before God would heal the nation. It is also required of spiritual Israel for spiritual damage to be healed. Even in the New Testament, while undertaking the healing miracles, the Lord stressed complete healing, which covers both physical and spiritual healing. It is the act of approaching the Lord in complete surrender, resulting in spiritual metamorphosis, that is underscored in the end. Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Although God is all-powerful and unlimited in His existence and perfection, He is the most involved and loving of all beings. In reviving the spirit of the humble, He 'makes them alive' as it translates literally. The sense here is that He provides spiritual life and comfort. Spiritually, God is to the contrite what refreshing rains, the warm sun, and cool dew are physically to a drooping plant. It revives us when we are in life's ebb and nadir. Dr Ashwin Drummond Laddertoheaven.co.in