A devotion based on Isaiah 1:11-17
Isaiah is one of the most popular books of the Old Testament. It was one of the books most frequently quoted by Jesus. When looking at such a book, it is helpful to see how it starts. It does not begin with the calling of Isaiah (that does not come until Isaiah 6). The beginning of the book is a condemnation of the worship in Judea. God says he hates their worship even though they are following the rituals he commanded them to. The reason that their worship makes God sick is that they have neglected the needs of the poor.
It is easy for us to put together a beautiful worship service. Whether traditional or contemporary, a service can be crafted that will impress the audience and bring joy to the congregation. That is good. But there is another important component of worship. Justice. Worship was never meant to be only vertical. In both the Old and New Testaments, it is clear that worship is supposed to be both vertical and horizontal (a cross?). We dare not neglect one for the other. Enjoy your worship service but then go out and continue to worship by ministering to the poor, sick and needy. It all has to go together.
