READING:
One-year plan: Isaiah 1-6
Two-year plan: Isaiah 24-25, Philippians 1:12-30
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It is the prophet Isaiah’s words about worship that give me much pause today. God’s people were apparently faithful in their rituals before God, but faulty in their relationship with God. Listen to a portion of the condemnation expressed through the prophet: “’What are all your sacrifices to Me?’ asks the Lord. ‘I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats’” (Isa 1:11).
How much this text says to our churches today! Our people—beginning with me, at times—go through all the motions of worship. We establish our rituals and follow them as if they were written in a concrete worship bulletin. We give our offerings and celebrate our fellowships. What we do not do is deal with the sin in our lives. Like the Hebrews, we assume our worship rituals equal a strong relationship with God — and we fail to see that our worship rituals without repentance become nothing more than trampling on the court of God.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you going through the motions in your faith today?
PRAYER: “God, let me be willing and obedient today.”
TOMORROW’S READING:
One-year plan: Isaiah 7-11
Two-year plan: Isaiah 26:1-28:13, Philippians 2:1-11
MEMORIZATION VERSE (July 16-31)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6)
