The Acceptable Sacrifice
Scripture — Psalm 51:16-17 (NRSV)
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Focus
The season of Lent is a special time for us to pay attention to our sin so that we might repent, that is, turn away from our sin as we turn in God’s direction. In Lent, we offer to God the sacrifice of a broken spirit and contrite heart. As we do, God not only accepts us as is, but also begins to work on renewing and reforming us by grace.
This devotion is part of the Psalms for Lenten Devotion series.
Devotion
In Psalm 51, David confesses his sin without holding back. He implores the Lord to forgive him and create within him a clean heart. Then David adds that God does not “delight in sacrifice” or “burnt offerings.” Yet there is a sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord. “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (51:17).
When we sin, God is not impressed by the things we try to do to atone for ourselves (as if we could!). We cannot offer any goods or services to the Lord to motivate divine forgiveness. After all, God can produce all the goods and services God needs. But we can offer that which we alone can give to the Lord: our open hearts, our sorrow over our sin, our fervent intention to repent. This is the “sacrifice” God desires from us.
How do we become broken over our sin? There is no simple answer. Sometimes we are shattered by the sorry results of sin. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by the grace of God that we hate anything in us that dishonors God. But, in all times, genuine sorrow over sin comes as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Through the Spirit, God helps us to see our sin as it is and to yearn for cleansing and a new, holy life.
The season of Lent is a special time for us to pay attention to our sin so that we might repent, that is, turn away from our sin as we turn in God’s direction. In Lent, we offer to God the sacrifice of a broken spirit and contrite heart. As we do, God not only accepts us as is, but begins to work on renewing and reforming us by grace.
Reflect
Have you ever offered to God the sacrifice of a broken spirit? When?
What helps you to feel genuine sorrow over your sin?
What helps you to turn from your sin?
Act
Set aside some time to reflect on whether your spirit has been broken before God or not. If you sense that the brokenness that leads to healing is not anything you’ve experienced, ask the Lord to do this work in you.
Pray
Gracious God, I cannot offer you anything to make you forgive my sin. Your forgiveness comes as a free gift through Jesus Christ. For this, I am eternally grateful.
But, when I sin, I can offer the sacrifice of a broken spirit and a repentant heart. I can offer my true sorrow over how I have wronged you. I can present my desire to turn from sin so that I might live my life for you.
Help me, dear Lord, to the sacrifice you desire. Keep me from tolerating my sin. Penetrate my defenses and rationalizations, so that I might see my sin as it is. By your Spirit, give me a passionate desire for you and your righteousness.
Indeed, create in me a clean heart, O Lord. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Scan Your Heart for Spiritual Viruses.
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...