To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice- Updated for Lent 2026

This was originally written in 2010 in the midst of the Lenten season, and updated once again in March of 2019.  Thought it was worth updating again, as we begin this new season of Lent today, February 19, 2026, and I really didn't have anything new to write about right now, (except for a postscript at the end of this to bring you up to date on current events).
This post includes some pictures taken of the beauty of God's creation in our previous neighborhood, which always gave me moments to reflect on the Lord and His plans for my life, and what He is asking me to do for Him...So let's take a step back in time, but with a message that is still relevant and current for today as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the true meaning of Easter...

I Samuel 15:22  
"Has 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 heed than the fat of rams."

(Our Sand Hill Crane Couple are still faithfully walking together-perhaps preparing a nest?)

 Participation in Lent has always been something for me that is a personal decision for each individual to decide.  If you normally do make a decision to participate in the idea of making some personal sacrifices during this season, how does it usually go for you?  Do  you find it difficult to maintain your convictions?  What happens in your mind if you "fall off the wagon" so to speak, and give in to the temptation to do whatever it was you said you wouldn't do?  Do you get back up and start all over again? Or do you just give up altogether and decide this just wasn't a good idea for you?

My approach to Lent is that it is not so much about making a "sacrifice", as it is about moving forward in the right direction, a new beginning; a clear resolve to obey rather than sacrifice.  Writing a daily journal is one way God has directed my steps during this season of Lent in the past.   It has been a way that  I believe God has directed me to obey Him and trust Him to open new windows of opportunity as a result.  Writing something new every day is a real challenge for me, but it is also an opportunity for me to stop and listen to what God is saying to my heart, and also what He wants me to share with you.  Trust me, it has been a real lesson in obedience and self-discipline!  

Reflection of the clouds on the water...
'The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
the Lord is over many waters
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty"
Psalm 29:3-4

So, how about you?  What new sacrifices or challenges are you dealing with?  Are you finding it difficult to stay on the course? From what source do you draw strength and energy to keep moving forward? 

Let me share with you my secret...this is what "works" for me.  Perhaps it will help you as well:

1. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4)
2. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5)
3. Be anxious for nothing, (Philippians 4:6a)
4. But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6b)
5. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."     (Philippians 4:7)
6. "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Is it easy to "rejoice always" and "be anxious for nothing"?  Absolutely NOT!  It is Christ alone Who gives me the strength and energy I need to accomplish whatever task I fear or dread.  Without Christ living in me, I am powerless.  In my own strength, I fail miserably. He is my Power Source.

The question for today is this: Are you plugged in to the true "Power Source"?  If not, would you like to be? All you have to do is ask! He's much closer than you think!

"Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,

give unto the Lord glory and strength.

Give unto the Lord the glory 

due to His name;

Worship the Lord in the

beauty of holiness."

Psalm 29:1-2

So back to the present, February 19, 2026...This week has had its blessings and challenges for sure. I have had to draw heavily on those resources of faith found in God's Word, in the book of Philippians especially, that were quoted above so many years ago! Interestingly, our current Ladies' Bible Study is in the book of Philippians, and it's as if God keeps reminding me of these words of faith and hope and peace over and over again. You'd think I'd know them totally by heart by now...but this is why a season of "Lent" is so valuable...I call it an "annual check up", to see how things are going with my heart and soul and spirit. And then to work on the areas that I notice need some "tweaking" and improvement.

Speaking of "annual check ups"...yesterday afternoon we finally had our quarterly physical check up with our doctor, to go over the lab tests and anything else that needed "improvement".  One thing right away that I learned is to be patient and accept what God knows is best for you.  I had mentioned in my previous post that our appointment was supposed to have been on Tuesday, but it was cancelled for some crazy reason unbeknownst to us. It was just as well, because they were going to put us with a P.A. instead of the "the real doctor" that we wanted to see, and so by changing the appointment to yesterday, we would get to see the "real doctor" instead.  Well, who walks into our room but the P.A.!  I said to him, "I thought we were going to see Dr.---, because we were going to go over the results of my husband's PET Scan, which we had previously discussed with him prior to the test..."   He apologized, but said that he actually was the one who had made the arrangements for the test with radiology and that he had been very much involved in the report, etc., and basically he felt that he was probably the best qualified to go over the results with us...but he would get the Doctor if that is what we wanted...but I humbled myself and kept quiet and let him go on.  As it turned out, by the time we were through with both of our exams and his explanation of our VERY EXCELLENT blood work, BTW, Praise God!, my hubby and I were both very impressed with this young man and his knowledge, and I literally apologized to him for my previous questioning of his "authority".  He was very gracious and kind, and I learned a good lesson.

Remember when I said in my previous post https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/02/just-quick-check-in-about-check-up.html, that God always works all things together for our good...here's the exact verse:

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, 

to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Yep...that's the one...and Yes, it is still so very true. Sometimes we just have to humble ourselves and sacrifice our own selfish will and accept that God DOES know best.  Remember the old TV show, "Father Knows Best"? Yes, our Heavenly Father really does know best.

As I said above, our blood work was excellent for both of us, and the report on the Pet Scan was also excellent...two big answers to prayer!

On  another note...this "Valentine's Tree" was in the waiting room at our Doctor's Office!  Can't say that I've ever seen a pink Valentine's Tree before...

The other issue we were being challenged with this week was the loss of our use of our "plumbing".  Finally we had to go ahead and schedule the septic tank to be cleaned out...

Turns out that the pipe going from the house to the tank had shifted somehow underground, and was not properly aligned with the tank,  so "things" were getting clogged at the entry to the tank.  The septic tank fellow worked very hard to fix that, and our friends from church who had done so much work the day before on the other end of the situation came back and did some more work under the house to get the pipe better supported and angled for better "flow".  Finally after two days of having our plumbing disconnected, we were able to "flush" again and take showers and wash dishes and laundry, etc.  We are SO thankful that is fixed, and the septic tank man said we should be "good to go" for maybe 10 years before needing another "clean out".  I hope he's right. This was an expensive week, but we are thankful it's done.  

Okay, that's all for today. Speaking of laundry...I am way behind in that and other cleaning jobs, so if you need me, that's where I'll be.  

Be blessed my friends. God IS in control!!!

A Season of Preparation for Peace

 Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent... click HERE for more information about the meaning of Lent (according to Wikipedia).

  

Much of what I have written here below has been shared with you in previous posts in the past several years around this same time.  But I believe the whole purpose of Lent is to prepare our hearts for Easter, and to focus our attention on the great sacrifice that was made by our Savior Jesus Christ, for you and me.  So here are some thoughts from God's Word as well as my own application of those passages. I've included some photos from here at Still Waters Pond that hopefully will be a blessing and bring peace to you today.  In the midst of the current strife going on in our world (i.e.; Russia vs. Ukraine, as well as our own issues here in our own country), we need as much peace and comfort as we can find.

My approach to Lent is that it is not so much about making a "sacrifice", as it is about moving forward in the right direction, a new beginning; a clear resolve to obey rather than sacrifice. 

"Has 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 heed than the fat of rams."

I Samuel 15:22

Joel 2:12-13

12.  "Now, therefore, says the Lord, 

Turn to Me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.

13.  So rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm.

Romans 12:1-2

1.  "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.

2.  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

will of God."

And then in verse 6 it says:

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

let us use them..."

Instead of sacrificing some thing for Lent, my prayer is that I would turn to the Lord with ALL My heart...truly "rend" (tear open, look inside) my heart, and  be that "living sacrifice, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD; and that I would be more fully committed to using the gifts that God has given me for His honor and glory.  I pray also that the Lord would transform me, renew my mind, and create a clean heart within me.  (Psalm 51:10)

In the past few days I have been contemplating the word "Quietude".  I truly didn't realize that this was a real word that we use in our vocabulary. I thought it was a Latin word for quiet, and actually I believe that is where it originated.  But here is the definition of the word according to Dictionary.com"

qui·e·tude

ˈkwīəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

1. 
   

   1.
   

   the state of being quiet; tranquility; calmness; stillness; quiet.

"For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

'In returning and REST you shall be saved;

In QUIETNESS and confidence

shall be your strength.'"

Isaiah 30:15

"The work of righteousness will be peace,

and the effect of righteousness,

quietness and assurance forever."

Isaiah 32:17

"You will keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You."

Isaiah 26:3

I believe that God is leading me into a place of "perfect peace", as I REST and TRUST in His Word, and in "quietness and confidence" be assured of God giving me the strength I need to face whatever challenges may lie ahead.

I look forward to experiencing what the Lord is going to show me during this time of "quietude", as He prepares my heart to remember Christ's great sacrifice for my sins...and the 

gift of eternal life that He gave to all of us who would believe, on His Resurrection Day!

Hold on friends, 

Easter is coming!