Deuteronomy chapter 17 verse 1 (NIV)
Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.
As a young Christian, I used to feel sorry for the references to animals, and in some instances people, in the Old Testament who could not be acceptable to God because they weren’t perfect. I think this was because of my own disability, but I didn’t understand the lesson that God was teaching Israel, which was that none of us are perfect and acceptable to God in our own right, and only Jesus, who was perfect and sinless could be the acceptable in our place. But today this verse spoke to me about something else. Although we don’t have to present an animal sacrifice any more, we do come before God ourselves, either in our own time, or during corporate worship, and we bring our hearts before God.
But do we come with the right attitude and a pure heart? Is our mind fully focused on entering in, or is our mind wandering off? If our attitude is not right when we come before God, it seems to me that this is the same as bringing a flawed sacrifice in the Old Testament. God wants our full attention and wholehearted worship. He has the right to expect that from us and we need to remember that when we come before Him.
Dear Lord,
May I never come halfheartedly into Your Presence, but always amazed that because of our Great High Priest, Jesus, that I can come before Your throne. May I always be aware of what an honour and privilege it is. Thank You Jesus for making it possible. Amen.