April 1, 2016: SOAP #2311:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 50:8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. 9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.… 14 Sacrifice thank-offerings to God, fulfil your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” … 23 He who sacrifices thank-offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

Observation: Burnt offerings were offered every morning and every evening. They could be made without thinking. They satisfied the requirement of the law but did not satisfy God’s heart. He wanted His people to be thankful. He wanted them to be promise keepers. He wanted them dependent on Him for deliverance. In their thankfulness and dependence, they would honor Him in the way He desired to be honored.

Application: God likes for me to be stretched beyond my capabilities. It is then I depend on Him. I do as I have promised, and I call on Him for help. He sees that I recognize how much I need Him. He delivers me either from or through my troubles and I honor Him with a thankful heart!

Prayer:   Lord, I am helpless without you. I depend on you to accomplish what you have assigned me to do. Thank you for what you have done in my past. It gives me confidence that you will help me in the present, and in my future. Your continued help means that I will have ample reason to continue to be thankful! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!