Proverbs Chapter 15

Proverbs 15:8
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."

Dad, can I have a candy bar? Can we go to Silver Dollar City this week? Will you read out loud to us? Can I have.....? Can we do....? Will you....? Fill in the blanks. As children we have all asked questions like these. As parents, we have heard these questions asked. As children grow older the questions change but the idea remains the same. The child has a need, want or desire and turns to someone who has the ability to fulfill or grant that need, want or desire. Those questions can get frustrating, especially around Christmas or birthdays. But in the end, we are pleased when our children come to us with their hands out. We want to help them. We want to show ourselves generous. We delight that they see us as "The Able Supplier" of their needs, wants and desires.

Our verse for the week, Proverbs 15:8, speaks to that idea as it relates to the Lord. The first part of the verse says that He detests the sacrifice of the wicked or ungodly person. It’s not that He dislikes the sacrifice. It’s just that He would rather have obedience. In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul disobeys the command of the Lord as given to him by the prophet Samuel. The prophet has this to say to the king upon hearing of the king’s disobedience. 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) "... 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, ..." The verse goes on to say that the Lord finds the prayer of the upright acceptable or delightful. Think about that for a moment. He is the Almighty God and the Creator of Heaven and earth. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. And He is delighted when His people come to Him in prayer.

I want to make a couple of brief observations here. The difference between the wicked and the upright is basically the issue of obedience. The wicked resist God’s will and refuse to obey His commands. The upright walk straight. They obey. They are certainly not perfect but they strive to learn and obey the will of God. Here is another observation. Prayer is sacrifice. When we come to God in prayer with our needs, wants and desires there is, or should be, an element of humility. Prayer, by it’s very nature, presupposes the authority of God to grant or deny our request. In other words, our will, our desires and hopes are given over to His will and plan for us. We accept that He knows what is best and will answer accordingly. He delights in this kind of humble prayer.

He wants to meet our needs. He wants to show himself as "The Able Supplier". He waits, as a loving Father, for His children to come to Him with their needs, wants and desires. Allow Him to delight in you today. Humbly bow before Him in prayer. Give Him the sacrifice of an obedient and humble heart.