Acceptable Sacrifice

1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases.

2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

6 Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

8 The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

10 Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 If you punish a mocker, the simple minded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; He will bring disaster on them.

13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

14 A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

15 Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

16 The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

17 Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.

19 It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

24 Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

26 Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

28 A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

29 The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.

30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. (NLT)

insights

Proverbs 21:3

What is an acceptable sacrifice? We sometimes make a spectacle of our sacrifices, seeking recognition for our piousness rather than truly doing that which God has called us to do. Maybe this is why “The Lord looked with favor upon Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor.” Genesis 4:4-5 NIV

What God really wants is for us to love Him, honor Him, and follow Jesus’ example because we love Him and desire to express that love. Perhaps the only acceptable sacrifice is to give all to Him as He has given all to you.

Proverbs 21:21

We Christians sometimes put down the new age movement, but if we look with discernment we will find that they have better understood and embraced some biblical truths. Among them, the understanding that what we think about and speak about is what we attract into our lives. When we allow a negative thought into our being we produce negativity. When we talk constantly about how little we have, we are unable to attract the abundance we desire, and that God desires for us.

When we pursue something, rather than just desire it, it is what is foremost in our mind. The word pursue indicates urgency and determination in the quest. Therefore, the acceptable sacrifice of pursuing righteousness and unfailing love, that is seeking it with urgency and determination, keeps those things in our thoughts and words and naturally draws them to us.

This is the same dynamic that is at work in faith. Though we can not see it, we believe it is ours, and when we ask God for it with that unwavering faith, His word promises that it will be ours.

“Then the disciples drew near to Y’shua while he was alone and said to him, ‘Why were we not able to heal him?’ Y’shua said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief. For truly I say to you that if you had faith in you like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, move away from here, and it would move. And not a thing would be able to prevail over you.’ “

Matthew 17:19-20 AENT*

*Aramaic English New Testament published by Netzari Press. 

Proverbs 21:30

Why is this true? Because He is God! Giving Him all the glory and praise is an acceptable sacrifice.

lynnibug

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