Isaiah 58 (Today's focus is on verses 6-9, but you will need to read the whole chapter to understand the context.)
What word of instruction do you hear?
The sabbath is a day to pursue God's interests, not my own.
Sometimes, we act as if we have done the Lord such a great favor by showing up for church on Sundays (or Saturdays or Thursdays or whenever). You even see this reflected in some of the contemporary worship songs (much as I love contemporary worship). "Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you're my God." Sometimes, you've got to wonder if the focus is on the glory of God and God's awesome power and righteousness, which all DESERVE to be praised. Or on God's very good fortune that we have chosen to bow ourselves before the Lord.... (I hope you hear the sarcasm.)
But it's not about the type of music that's used in worship. It's about the heart. Our motivation. Why do we worship? Out of guilt? Out of fear? Out of habit? Out of a sense of obligation? Out of our own need? To impress others with our holiness?
Worship that honors God is about putting God first. Putting God's interests before my own. Doing what God wants done. For no other reason that because God is God. God is good. God is great! And God deserves our praise and gratitude and devotion.
For what would you like to give thanks?
For all the faithful ones who have pursued God's interests and not their own.
How have you missed the mark?
Being critical when the sermon does not speak to me, the music does not move me, or the worship does not lift me up. Help me to remember, Lord, that it's not about me. It's about you.
How is God present to you in this text?
God is the voice of discipline, of prophetic exhortation. It is God who seeks to lead me in right paths. And God is there with an answer when I seek to do what's right and call on God for help.
You got new message
10 years ago
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