One definition of sacrifice in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary is “To devote with loss.” Devotion in part is defined as “to direct the attention wholly or chiefly.”
GOLDEN TEXT: Proverbs 15 : 8
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”
It seems the “sacrifice of the wicked” would be devotion to the human mind and its desires, and the loss would be of our understanding of, and connection with, God.
Responsive Reading: Psalm 51
16. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The preamble to Psalm 51 is “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” This was written after David directed his attention wholly on Bathsheba, committing adultery and murder in the process, and seemingly lost his ability to think or see rightly until Nathan’s inspired intervening broke through the mesmerism holding David.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” brings to mind a wild horse that has been tamed — which I’ve also heard called “being broken” — so that they can be useful. God made all things good and useful, and to whatever degree anyone resists their God-given usefulness, that is the degree their “spirit,” or more appropriately, “will,” needs to be broken.
Being here in Plainfield, and learning to live Christian Science, has certainly brought on that process of having my ego / pride / will broken. No part of that is hidden to newcomers, and there should be no doubt it will happen, just as there is no doubt that every bit we are free of wrong thinking and human will is that much closer we are to God and our true self.
Later in Proverbs 15 it says:
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
I am so grateful for all I am learning here in Plainfield. Thank you!