“Fifteen days before the Festival of Shelters began, the priests had begun to sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord. This was even before they had started to lay the foundation of the Lord’s Temple.”
Ezra 3:6 NLT
Before the people had reconstructed the temple, they began sacrificing to God. This is a sure fire prescription for success among those who love the Lord. The sacrifices that we make aren’t predicated upon the specifics but rather the worship of God in spirit and truth. Too many Christians work so hard to have everything be as perfect as possible that they miss the purpose of the sacrifice all together. What starts out as a true conviction toward sincere offering turns into a series of setbacks that lead to a string of failed attempts. We see this in failed Bible plans, failed church attendance, failed financial giving and many other ways in which we sacrifice. This, then opens the door for guilt to creep into our relationship with God. Not long after, confusion, bitterness and even resentment can take root in that relationship. When faced with the opportunity to commune with God, though it may not be perfect in fact, we allow it to be accepted by him. He wants our sincere love, not our perfection.
JOSH McGARY. COM 