Today in church our pastor was reading in Isaiah about how the Israelites had become such a sinful nation that God was disgusted by them. He strongly speaks to them of his hatred of their festivals and traditions and prayers that are meaningless. Then, this verse I read on down to really grabbed me. It's just simple in its instruction, but is such a powerful sermon in itself. Here it is:
Isaiah 1:17 (NASB)
Learn to do good;Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.
That's what God told them he wanted them to do. It reminds me of the whole "to obey is better than sacrifice" verse, wherever that is. He didn't want an elaborate show or celebration or fake tears and hands raised in silly prayers that weren't sincere. He just wanted His people to obey, pursue what's right, correct what's not, and protect and care for those who need that.
So easy...yet, how much do we in His church today do these things? Our community group has been discussing the early church and their passion for a couple of things - devoting themselves to prayer, fellowship with other believers, spreading the Gospel, and meeting the needs of those who were struggling. We uncomfortably asked the question Wednesday night -- Are we doing those things as the church? I can get off on a tangent here that would take days to type, so will not go deeply into it here, but I think we seriously focus on many things that are possibly detestable to God, instead of focusing our energy where it really counts. And, I am very concerned I need to seriously re-evaluate my priorities and passions.
Then, as I was telling my sweet friend Sandi, those phrases kept ringing in my head, reminding me of something. I finally realized tonight that it was a quote we both love from a great movie on the Crusades. This man plays Balian's (Orlando Bloom's) father in the story (only part of the reason we love the movie) and this is the oath he charges his son with as he knights him:
Godfrey of Ibelin in Kingdom of Heaven:
Be without fear in the face of your enemies.
Be brave and upright that God may love thee.
Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death.
Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath.
I don't mean to be sacrilegious to compare God's word with a movie quote, but these were just thoughts on my mind tonight.
2 comments:
Words of wisdom. "1 Samuel 15:22..To obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken is better than the fat of rams." In John 13 Jesus had 15 hours of earthly ministry left. He could have taught anything, performed any miracle He wanted, and yet He served like a slave the ones He loved and chose. He washed their feet as an object lesson. They were full of pride and the dirt of the world, and He stooped low and washed them. Incredible. Oh yeah, He washed Judas also. Love without measure. So how much of our lives is serving and how much is being served? At the end of that passage Jesus says 'happy are you if you DO this', not just know it.
Thoughts that haunt our family, also. Just this morning I was mourning for the churches I love and how far they have wandered from simple obedience. I am afraid that we have wandered so far that our rituals have become our religion. I pray that God will breath on all of us a searing, cleansing breath and resurrect His plan for our church!
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