A Pleasing Offering Moves the Lord
“The Lord smelled the pleasant aroma. The Lord spoke in his heart.”
Genesis 8:21
How does the Lord feel about the offerings he has inspired us to bring to him? It’s an intriguing question, isn’t it? – On the one hand, the Lord doesn’t at all need our offerings, because he is owner of everything. On that same hand, the Lord himself is due our offerings, because they all belong to him in the first place. Still on that same hand, the Lord is even the one responsible for prompting our offerings.
On the other hand, the Bible still says the Lord takes pleasure in our offerings. A case in point is the offering Noah made after exiting the ark. “Noah took from every clean animal and every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. The Lord smelled the pleasant aroma. The Lord said in his heart, ‘Never again will I curse the soil anymore because of man…. Neither will I ever again strike every living thing.’” (Genesis 8:20-21)
In other words, Noah’s offering didn’t just please the Lord, it moved the Lord: to promise mercy—not of course that the Lord had not already planned that…. After all, as long ago as was that Flood, much longer ago did the Lord choose you. He planned your salvation, and it was already then as good as done. Christ’s sacrifice would certainly accomplish your forgiveness. Long ago now, that took place.
Doesn’t that move you to bring something special to Jesus? Jesus is pleased with your offering. It moves his heart. Plus, what you provide may just connect his heart with the hearts of others, as your offerings carry the gospel to them.