How can we align our actions with God's desires as shown in Jeremiah 7:22? Setting the Stage: Jeremiah 7:22 “For when I brought your fathers out of Egypt, I did not speak with them or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.” What God Emphasizes • God delivered Israel before He ever spoke of ritual sacrifice • Freedom came first, intimacy second, ritual third • The primary expectation was—and remains—relational obedience Obedience Over Ritual: A Thread Woven Through Scripture • 1 Samuel 15:22 – “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness better than the fat of rams.” • Hosea 6:6 – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” • Psalm 51:16-17 – God delights in a contrite heart more than burnt offerings • Micah 6:6-8 – What the LORD requires: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly” • Matthew 9:13 / Mark 12:33 – Jesus affirms the prophetic priority of mercy and wholehearted love Practical Ways to Align Our Actions With God’s Desires • Embrace daily surrender – Begin each morning affirming, “Your will, not mine” (Luke 9:23) • Listen before acting – Spend unhurried time in the Word; let Scripture set the agenda (Psalm 119:105) • Pursue justice and mercy in relationships – Right wrongs quickly, forgive freely, assist the vulnerable (James 1:27) • Offer integrity, not theatrics – Let hidden life match public confession (Proverbs 10:9) • Cultivate gratitude-driven obedience – Serve because you are redeemed, not to earn redemption (Ephesians 2:8-10) Encouragement From the Broader Canon • Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – Fear the LORD, walk in His ways, love Him, and keep His commands • Romans 12:1 – Present bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture equips for every good work, rooting obedience in truth Living It Out Today • Let every outward act flow from inward devotion • Measure success by faithfulness, not appearance • Keep the cross before you as the ultimate proof that God values heart-level allegiance over ritual performance |
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