“I hate, (says God – I hate) I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:21-24
So NOW, they wanted God’s help! The economy had gone south and their crops were not fruitful. They only gave God their leftovers. They had turned against God and His will for their lives. And the children of Israel couldn’t understand why God wasn’t coming through for them. Really!
Sound familiar? The economy has gone south. Jobs have been lost. Marriages ruined. You ever find yourself asking, “Hey, God, I’m going to church on Sunday, I’m singing Your praises, I’m a good person, so why haven’t things turned around for me? Never mind that I’m cheating on my income taxes. Or that I’m feasting on pornography. Or that I’m mistreating my children.”
I’ve got news for you: we cannot buy God’s favor with our offerings. We do not impress Him with an emotional, weeping, passionate worship, if our lifestyle doesn’t show a heart for God. He is far more concerned with our obedience than with our emotional worship. In fact, He won’t even ACCEPT our offerings or our songs of worship unless our hearts are truly repentant and our lives are following Jesus.
So, I ask you – where is your heart?
