Meaningless Offerings Suzanne Benner Take Today’s Next Step: Tell Them Why You’re Smiling “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.” (Isaiah 1:13) Throughout his lifetime, the prophet Isaiah spoke God’s words to the people of Israel and the surrounding nations, confronting them with their sin, and sometimes that meant harsh words. “Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!” (Isaiah 1:14-15) Even Jesus spoke in a similar way when He addressed the Pharisees: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25) Giving to charity, volunteering at the soup kitchen, and even going to church can be meaningless acts if we pursue them out of arrogance. Even our noblest deeds cannot make up for those times we cheat, gossip, or take advantage of the powerless. If they are not supported by faith and graceful attempts to imitate God’s perfect love, they are meaningless offerings. Stop and consider your life. Do your prayers and acts of service spring from a humble, repentant heart? Isaiah’s message from God includes instruction for those who repent: “wash and make yourselves clean” (1:16) “stop doing wrong” (1:16) “learn to do right” (1:17) “seek justice” (1:17) “defend the oppressed” (1:17) “take up the cause of the fatherless” (1:17) “plead the case of the widow” (1:17) Gracious Heavenly Father, Thank you for sacrificing Your Son for me even though I am a sinner. Help me confess my sins to You, help me drive out hypocrisy, so that I may serve you from a pure heart. Forgive me and make me clean. Show me how to fight for justice and encourage those who are hurting through Your perfect love. Amen. Question: What sins do I need to confess in order to be a better disciple?
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 00:58:58 +0000
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