Day #299 - Worthless Assemblies
The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
““The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 1:11-20 NIV
Have you ever had someone share strong words of rebuke with you but also offer redemption?
I’ve had people rebuke me but be redemptive. Words of discipline are not usually fun. But to have someone who is strong in a rebuke also offer redemption is life giving. A warning can save your life. I remember a pastor once telling me that when a family member fell into sin and got pregnant out of wedlock, his Dad told him while they were going to confront the situation, “at times like this, we must act redemptively.” Thank God for people who love us enough to confront us truthfully and offer us redemption.
God spoke through Isaiah the prophet a strong rebuke to His people Israel. He said that He had “enough of their offerings,” their “incense was detestable,” , their assemblies were “worthless,” their festivals He “hates,” and His eyes “hide” when they pray their prayers. All the things that are a part of “the Presence” being experienced corporately by Israel are now turning God away. How can what should attract “the Presence” actually repel Him instead?
God says that they have blood and their hands and that is why He is repulsed by their acts of worship. He wants worship and devotion from a pure heart of obedience. He calls His people to seek justice and defend the oppressed. How we treat the last and the least, the orphan and the widow matters to God. We have to love humanity not only in word and intention but in our actions. God doesn’t want us to lift our hands in worship if they are dirty from oppressing the poor and disadvantaged.
But God promises cleansing of our sin if we come to Him. He invites us in our sin and failure of loving others well to come to Him so He can wash us white as snow. This is the gospel. This is a Jesus promise that God invites us to Himself where He provides the cleansing and purification of our sins so we can have clean hands before Him.
This is a warning and a promise to us as the people of God. May we not only gather as the church for our own good but may we be willing and obedient to love the overlooked in our churches and cities. A church of “the Presence” not only burns the incense of prayer and brings the sacrifice of praise, but walks in obedience to caring for the others.
Lord Jesus, thank You for washing our sins white as snow when we come to You with guilty and dirty hands. Let us love who You love and look after the least among us. Let us love justice for the oppressed like You do. Let us carry Your presence to those who need You most. Forgive us for overlooking the needs of others. In Your good and loving name, amen.
Amen!!
Yes Lord. ♥️🙏🏻