Did you know that God hates some worship.  I guess we could question whether or not it's really worship if God hates it, but we must understand there is worship which God absolutely despises.

Read with me Isaiah 1:10-15:

 10 Hear the word of the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah.
 11 "What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.
 12 "When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?
 13 "Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies--I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.
 14 "I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.
 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

This is certainly not politically correct language.  Feelings were hurt at these statements!  Blood may have boiled and tempers flared as Isaiah relayed this message to the people.  After all, weren't the people DOING what God had commanded?  They killed animals in sacrifice.  They burned the incense.  They prayed.  They kept the feast days.  WHAT MORE COULD GOD WANT!?

They missed the point of worship.  Worship is not just about form.  Worship is about pouring a person's heart out towards the Lord.  These Israelites were keeping the form quite nicely, just as the Pharisees in Jesus' day were.  They were careful to observe all the rituals just as God had commanded.  But God detested their efforts.  Their hearts were not directed towards God, and THAT is what God wanted more than anything else.

We must never get so caught up in keeping the form of worship that we forget the heart of worship.  The heart of worship involves clean hands, a determination to cease from evil, a determination to do what is right and good in God's sight (see Isa. 1:16-17).  As Jesus said in Matt. 5:23-24, "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."  Our offerings are meaningless if we are continuing in sin.

Perhaps I will have more to say about this tomorrow.

God bless,
Nathan