Mercy, and not sacrifice

“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” - Hosea 6v6

What does God desire from His people. There are far too many churches and far too many people who would say that God requires us to abide by a certain set of rules, to dress a certain way, and keep a list of permissible place to attend and avoid.

Israel had the same mindset – the most important thing they could do was to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, keeping to a legalist code. Legalism may seem like a harsh word, but that is what it is when we put a “code of practice” to a place God never intended it to be. The Jews did it, and some folks today are just a guilty.

What does God desire? In this passage He says He desires mercy and knowing Him above all the rest. I recently saw a video to a song called “Does Anybody Hear Her?” The story is of a girl running in the wrong direction and the Christians who are too busy doing their “Christian thing” to notice her. “Under every steeple all the lost and lonely people are searching for the hope that’s tucked away in you and me…” aptly describes what is going on in far too many lives. We are far too busy doing “church stuff” to be aware of the needs to show God’s mercy to the needy around us.

There is nothing wrong with our “church stuff” but we are missing it if we don’t truly seek to know God and show His mercy to others. That’s what He desires – the “church stuff” will fall into place if we know God and seek to show His mercy.