A Worthy Sacrifice

Sunday, September 26th, 2010


Today's Passage: Isaiah 1: 10-20
Memory Verses: Isaiah 1: 16-17

I've often wondered, with churches on every corner in every city of every state in our nation, how God feels about our religious acts. Don't get me wrong -- it's a blessing that Christians have the right to open as many churches as they want to and worship God the way they want to. But I can't help thinking that maybe, with the state of the society today, maybe God has something to say about the fruit of our Christianity.

In these last days, it won't hurt us to stop and think about just how effective our Christianity really is. We love God, we go to our houses of worship often, and yet it seems as if morality has taken a back seat right before our eyes. Even among those who claim to be "churched", it's not uncommon to see the same habits and lifestyle as those who don't go to church. In today's passage, God's attitude is a bit harsh as He shares His heart.

It appears that God sees us as mostly people who act first without consulting Him, then react by offering sacrifices to appease Him when we go to our places of worship. Even in the way we bring our sacrifices of praise -- is it possible that we may be going through the motions at times because we're so used to doing our own thing that we don't believe God will even hear us when we come to call on Him?

As we all prepare to worship the Father today, keep in mind that He DOES have feelings, and longs for our relationship with Him more than we could ever know. He wants the way we worship Him to be out of our love for Him, not out of obligation. If we'll be honest, we all stand in need of His mercy for the way we treat each other, and the way we sometimes forget He sees and hears us at ALL times. Fall at the mercy seat this morning, and lay bare our hearts before Him, giving Him a chance to cleanse us and make us whole. Where we've not paid attention to His heart, which is to constantly be seeking justice for those who cannot stand up for themselves, let's ask Him to give us hearts like His. Purpose in your heart to bring Him a worthy sacrifice today.

Prayer: Father, as I prepare to come to Your house of worship, please search my heart. Expose those things that grieve You, and show me how to give You true worship. Then, as I live daily before You, help me to focus on what really makes You smile -- caring for Your broken. I live to give You glory always. In Jesus' Name, Amen