Daily Devotions
Does God Hate My Worship?
Reading for September 22nd: Amos 1-5
"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.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
Amos 5:21-24
I will admit that sometimes I have been in an uninspiring worship service (rambling prayers, slow songs, boring class/sermon, etc.) and have worried about what visitors are thinking. Will they want to come back? What do they think of us?
But how often do I consider what God is thinking about the worship? And not just what God thinks about the song leader, prayer leader, or preacher... What does God think about MY worship?
And what is it that makes my worship pleasing to God? Is it my ability to sing in key? Is it my eloquence? What about my suit and tie?
What if I told you it is not just what you and I do on Sunday morning that impresses God? What if I told you that long before I utter a prayer, sing a song, preach a sermon, or eat and drink of the Lord's Supper, God is already deciding whether or not he will accept my worship?
Father, help us to live lives of justice and righteousness before you daily so that our worship will be acceptable in your sight.
