I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your
solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and
grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your
fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of
your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. Amos 5:21-23
Though we have been created by God to worship Him, He is clear in
His word that our rituals, our songs, our prayers and our praises mean little
to Him if they come from a stone cold and calloused heart. Worship is so
much more than a song—it is so much more than the outward act of our hands and
feet. It is so much more than an hour and half event on Sunday morning—it
is so much more than a few songs and some lip service during a morning
service. Worship is a Monday through Sunday activity that stems from a
renewed mind and a changed heart.
You could go to church Sunday after Sunday, sing every song, fill
in every blank in your outline, give the church ten percent of your income
every month without fail and that would not mean one thing to God if your heart
is not right with Him. That would matter little to Him if your heart does
not belong to Him. I wonder how many in our churches today are like the
Israelites in Amos’ day. How many go to church each and every week
and maybe serve, give, sing, and take notes, and leave each week no different
inwardly and spiritually.
God does not want empty religious practice, He wants you—He wants your heart. He is Jealous for me and is Jealous for you and wants all of us or nothing at all.
God does not want empty religious practice, He wants you—He wants your heart. He is Jealous for me and is Jealous for you and wants all of us or nothing at all.
