I was reading in Isaiah 29 today and came across a verse that is very familiar. Isaiah 29:13 saysAnd so the Lord says, 'These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hears are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote." (NLT)
What got me thinking is was whether or not we actually worship God. Just because we come on Sunday mornings or evenings does not necessitate worship. Coming does not mean you worshipped. I know that there are times in my life when I have either been distracted or 'not in the mood' to worship. And what a horrible thing that is. How can I look at Jesus and say, 'Hey I know you died for me and took the Father's wrath for me, but right now I am just too busy, tired, upset . . . to worship you.
We like to say that it is the thought that counts, that at least we came. That if we did not come out of love at least we came out of duty. The problem with that is in this verse. God does not want people who honor him with their lips and follow man made rules and regulations. He wants people that love him with their whole beings and hearts.
Think of it this way. It is Valentine's day. You, being a smart husband, remember and buy flowers for you wife, arrive home early, fix the sink, make dinner etc. Your wife walks in sees all this is and is just floored by your love. She goes up to thank you, but you stop her. You says, "Honey, it was my duty to do this for you because it is Valentines day." You just ruined the gift and you might as well have stayed at work.
Is God of so little importance that we cannot love Him the way He deserves. My call to you is to worship God, with a heart of passion and desire, and not out of duty. |