- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,539
When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting--they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. ... When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Isaiah 1:12-13, 15 NLT
Why isn’t my life full of the happiness I see in so many others? Why doesn’t God answer my prayers too? The emotions behind these common queries betray dismal and dreary days—hundreds of mundane moments that, when welded together, often produce confusion and even depression.
In today’s scripture, Isaiah presents one answer to both questions. He explains that when the worship God’s children “parade” in front of Him is full of “meaningless gifts,” He doesn’t listen. Not to their worship and not to their “many prayers” (Isaiah 1:15).
Often, the problem is in the motives that make worship lazy and self-focused rather than engaging and God-focused. In contrast, the happiness experienced in answered prayers usually follows the repentant heart of an individual who worships with the meaning of the psalmist: “You are all I really want in life” (Psalm 142:5).
This why Paul admonished the Corinthians, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Love for God, not self, motivates meaningful worship.
Prayer: Father, help me see in Your Word and in others the devotion You want to see in me. I long to worship You with an attitude that pleases You and with prayers You are eager to hear.
Why isn’t my life full of the happiness I see in so many others? Why doesn’t God answer my prayers too? The emotions behind these common queries betray dismal and dreary days—hundreds of mundane moments that, when welded together, often produce confusion and even depression.
In today’s scripture, Isaiah presents one answer to both questions. He explains that when the worship God’s children “parade” in front of Him is full of “meaningless gifts,” He doesn’t listen. Not to their worship and not to their “many prayers” (Isaiah 1:15).
Often, the problem is in the motives that make worship lazy and self-focused rather than engaging and God-focused. In contrast, the happiness experienced in answered prayers usually follows the repentant heart of an individual who worships with the meaning of the psalmist: “You are all I really want in life” (Psalm 142:5).
This why Paul admonished the Corinthians, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Love for God, not self, motivates meaningful worship.
Prayer: Father, help me see in Your Word and in others the devotion You want to see in me. I long to worship You with an attitude that pleases You and with prayers You are eager to hear.
