"For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

This is a most telling portion of Scripture and I would like to give several
translations that will help open up God's heart regarding sacrifice.

'For I desire mercy and not sacrifice...' NKJV and NIV
And from "THE WORD, The Bible From 26 Translations":
'For I delight in mercy...' H. Spurrell
'For I desire loving kindness...' The New Berkley Version
'It is true love that I have wanted...' J.B. Phillips

Notice the emphasis is on loyalty, loving-kindness and mercy.  These require
a contrite heart.  The natural outcome then is obedience.  That is the kind
of sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord.

Psalm 51: 16-17 tells us:
"For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
Thou art not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."

Read all of Psalm 51 to get the picture of this broken man.  And remember
God said that David was a man after His own heart.

"...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." 1 Samuel 15:22 (Chapter 15
is a tragic story of disobedience.)

How many there are who, in a very hard situation, try to bargain with God
for His help in the matter by promising sacrifices then when the emergency
has passed they forget the promise and God.  God doesn't want promises
of sacrifices, but true love, steadfast loyalty, a contrite heart, a tender
heart, a heart of mercy.  Not 'burnt offerings' or hollow promises.

But let us heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul as in Romans 12:1-2 he
writes,
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  (My emphasis)

As the song goes:
"Not my will, but Thine be done,
That the fullness of the Son,
May dwell within this life,
That I have offered You.
Until everything I do
Is the thing that pleases You,
Abba Father, I will be a son in deed."

All praise, with thanksgiving, do we give to the only wise God and Lord now
and forever. Amen.