Relational Mercy

Whatever we give to God, God takes very seriously. Material things do not entice God the way they entice us. While God does demand un-bruised and unbroken sacrifices, God is not as interested in what we bring to Him as He is about the heart.

The first account of men offering sacrifices to God is found in the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. The Bible states that God approved of Abel's sacrifice because Abel offered his best, while Cain did not. Instead of accepting this as a lesson from God, Cain resent Abel and murdered him.

God may not always accept our sacrifices, especially when our hearts are far from Him. But when God sees our hearts and is moved to accept our sacrifices, He will move in our lives. Leviticus 9 shows the people of God giving Him everything exactly as He asked for it. They listen to the words of God and follow through with action. God is so pleased that He shows up in power (vv.23-24)

Leviticus demonstrates how relational God is with His people. Notice that God first spoke to the Israelites. The Israelites listened to God, and then they acted in obedience to His commands. Finally, God appeared before them in power, and they praised Him. Henry Law writes, "Profoundest worship was their instant act. Believer, do the like. God sends His Son to seek - to save... Witness after witness from His courts assures, that pardon, acquittal, release from every woe, admission to the home of heaven, are yours. Oh! then, let every breath praise God."

In all things, we are meant to be relational with Christ. When God showers us with mercy, we are meant to respond relationally.

Living Life