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Isaiah 29:13

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men….

We can sing beautiful worship songs with beautiful harmony…with hearts far from God.

We can stand attentively during the reading of Scripture…with hearts far from God.

We can say the Lord’s Prayer in beautiful unison…with hearts far from God.

We can recite the amazing truth of the Apostles’ Creed…with only our mouths and lips.

We can give our money to the church…even lots of it…with hearts far from God.

We can take the bread and the cup…with our minds on something other than the great sacrifice of Jesus.

We can attend church every weekend…motivated by guilt instead of worship.

We can serve the poor…with hearts far from God.

We can take care of widows and orphans…out of obligation instead of spiritual service.

We can read the Bible every day…only to check off our daily reading assignment.

We can say prayers…while our minds are wandering.

God is never impressed with people who come near him only to impress others. God is not impressed with recitation of mindless liturgy. God is not impressed when our worship is based on a set of traditions and rules that allow words to come from our mouths while nothing comes out of our hearts.

Saying prayers, singing songs, reciting creeds is not worship if our hearts are disengaged. Jesus said that true worshipers worship God in Spirit and in truth “for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23 NIV). Are you the kind of worshiper God is looking for?

Talking to God

Father, help me be the kind of worshiper that you seek. Don’t allow my words to be disconnected from my heart. Don’t allow me to go through religious motions. Please keep my worship fresh and my heart engaged. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

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