Too Strong of Spirit

Scripture:
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17

Observation: The psalmist reaches this conclusion about his relationship with the Lord ... the sacrifice God really wants is our hearts and our wills. All the types of offerings placed on the alter are just ways of demonstrating our will, and whether or not we have aligned our hearts to the will of God. Thus, since the Lord knows what is within our hearts and minds, the sacrifice that is truly acceptable is our will. God desires our broken spirit; our broken and contrite heart.

Application: My will has been broken, but as a man in modern society I often try to rebuild it. I must remember not to do that. My life is so much better when I have a broken spirit - when I have laid aside all of my own objectives and desires and will and motivations and ambition - and instead seek only that which the Lord would lay upon my heart.

Once again, I wonder what career path to pursue, and am honored that things have again gone well for me. This is folly. The Lord creates my path, and I need to humbly walk it following his plan and direction, with no ambition for myself. This also goes for my personal life, my future retirement, and all my plans.

My spirit must never get strong again.

Prayer: Lord, my heart is contrite. I wish my spirit had no desire but to obey your will. You know I am flawed in this manner, and I need your strength to assist in alignment of my spirit to yours. I do desire that. Place into me a new heart, soft and tender and attentive to your spirit. Amen.