Our Short Daily Devotion ECWA Food for the Day

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2022

TEXT: Isaiah 66:1-6

1. This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is where I rest my feet. So do you think you can build a house for me? Do I need a place to rest?

2. I am the one who made all things. They are all here because I made them,” says the LORD. “These are the people I care for: the poor, humble people who obey my commands.

3. Some people kill bulls as a sacrifice, but they also beat people. They kill sheep as sacrifice, but they also break the necks of dogs. They offer up grain offerings, but they also offer the blood of pigs. They burn incense, but they also love their worthless idols.

4. So I decided to use their own tricks. I will punish them using what they are most afraid of. I will do this because I called to them, but they did not answer. I spoke to them, but they did not listen. They did what I said is evil. They chose to do what I did not like.”

5. You who obey the LORD’S commands, listen to what he says: “Your brothers hated you. They turned against you because you followed me. Your brothers said, ‘When the LORD shows his glory, then we will rejoice with you.’ But they will be punished.”

6. Listen! There is a loud noise coming from the city and from the Temple. It is the LORD punishing his enemies. He is giving them the punishment they deserve.

(Easy-to-Read Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE KING JUDGES FALSE WORSHIPPERS

A man without the true knowledge of God sees and thinks about worship as a man-made endeavor to manipulate God into action. He thinks that his mere songs, offerings, church going and mode of worship will win him favor from God. As a result, he can do all what he wants to do without true conviction or sincere reference to the Lord he intends to worship.

The Lord is mighty and rules both heaven and earth and, above all, can see both the inside and the outside of His worshippers and all people everywhere (Isaiah 66:1-6).

Worshippers can’t manipulate God by building Him the most magnificent temple, giving fat offerings or through personal appearance. God rejected or condemned these acts of the faithful in Israel. God commands worship and fellowship but we must worship Him sincerely and from the heart (1 John 1:6-7).

Our services to the Lord must come from a true conviction of the character of God and we must offer ourselves unto Him with all reverence and honor. It is sad that most of the faithful have become church activists who try to manipulate God with words and activities. But God wants us to “worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

QUESTION: Do you worship the Lord with all sincerity?

PRAYER: My Lord Almighty, lead and guide me to worship You in truth and in spirit, Amen.