Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN SACRIFICE. |
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OBEDIENCE BETTER THAN SACRIFICE.
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the
fat of rams.”
—1 Samuel, xv. 22.
Think not, Christian! thou canst choose
How obedience should be shown,
God will evermore refuse
Offering which is not his own.
How obedience should be shown,
God will evermore refuse
Offering which is not his own.
What can sacrifice of thine,
Offer'd in thy strength and will,
Gain thee at that inner shrine,
Where He seeks obedience still?
Offer'd in thy strength and will,
Gain thee at that inner shrine,
Where He seeks obedience still?
Hope not what thy choice inspires
Shall divine acceptance win,
But what God himself requires,
And makes manifest within.
Shall divine acceptance win,
But what God himself requires,
And makes manifest within.
There his Spirit gives the law
Graven on tables of the heart;
This to trace with holy awe
Is true wisdom's better part.
Graven on tables of the heart;
This to trace with holy awe
Is true wisdom's better part.
48
There his gospel would reveal
Hope which Christ alone can give;
There before his footstool kneel,
Hear, obey, and thou shalt live.
Hope which Christ alone can give;
There before his footstool kneel,
Hear, obey, and thou shalt live.
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