In today’s passage, God opens the ears of David and reminds him that offerings and sacrifices (although these could be part of the desired response) are not what God is looking for, but obedience.

While we don’t make blood sacrifices or burnt offerings in the western church today, we continue to make the same mistake and approach the throne of grace with transactional intent. We look to check boxes, even the score, and be good Christians rather than living in a posture of obedience and servanthood to our Redeemer.

As you work through our passage today, and as you meditate on it throughout the week I want to leave you with two primary questions to ask yourself:

First, what am I doing as a believer (good or bad) to check a box instead of trying to be obedient and be transformed to the likeness of God

Second, what would it look like to live a life of obedience to the radical, powerful, healing, transforming, and grace-filled word of God?

[Psalm 40.6-8]

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,

but you have given me an open ear.

Burnt offering and sin offering

you have not required.

7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

8 I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does God not require of us?

+ What does God ask of us?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How is God calling you to obedience?

+ What sin is God placing on your heart right now that He is asking you to turn from and live a life of obedience in response to?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who am I walking with that can hold me accountable to living a life of obedience to Jesus?

+ Who has God placed in my life that I can tell about the radical work of Jesus in my life?