How do we give back to our God? When the God that we believe in – the God that we serve is the Creator of all things – what can we possibly give back to Him that would show Him our love and devotion? What sacrifice or offering can we bring back to Him to demonstrate our adoration?
God is the Alpha and Omega. He was from the beginning of time and will be till the end of time. Since God has always been and always will be, what can we offer Him? The Israelites offered Him sacrifices of bulls, sheep, and birds, but is that what God wants? Was He looking for our hand to feed Him?
No. God has no need for our gift. He doesn’t need my resources. In fact, they aren’t really mine anyway. Instead, He wants what the gift represents: Our hearts. He wants to be our great love.
God says: “But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and so is everything in it.” (Psalm 50:9-12)
God does not need our gift of resources. God desires our obedience and praise – matters of the heart. “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you make to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalm 50:14-15) “But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23)
O LORD, there is so much to give thanks for – so many blessings in my life that come from you. In my day-to-day routines so often I forget to give you the praise and thanks that you truly deserve and desire. Forgive me, LORD. I know that you desire hearts that honor you. May my life, LORD God, be one that honors you. Keep shaping me into the one you created me to be. May my lips always sing praise to you and about you. Father, thank you for not only your generosity with me but also with your patient kindness in the shaping process. Refine in me what needs refining. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings!