February 10, Self-Righteousness

Today’s reading: Psalms 46-50

“I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” - Psalm 50:9-10.

The Lord was the speaker in today’s passage, confronting Israel’s attitude that they were doing God a favor when they offered sacrifices, as if God needed them. The Lord reminded them that He already owned what they were giving Him, but what He really wanted was their love and heart, not their external rituals. God does not need your music, money, Sabbath rest, or presence in church. He does not need your prayers or other spiritual disciplines. All those things are for your benefit, not His. Are you like the Pharisee who came into God’s presence and said, “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’” (Luke 18:11-12)? If so, then you need to repent of your self-righteous attitude and learn to humbly serve the Lord, for God is after your heart of obedience.