We have just completed a two-week series at church entitled "Making Poverty History." It was a challenging series. A lot preaching was done from the first chapter of Isaiah. Reading this chapter reveals such passages as:
"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 neaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations — I cannot bear your evil assemblies." (Isaiah 1:11-13)
and
"wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. " (Isaiah 1:16-17)
It is clear that God is not interested in empty worship. If our words and actions do not match up then our worship is hypocritical. God dealt harshly with his people in the Old Testament. He sent Isaiah to warn Israel that a great judgement was coming because of their failure to practice justice and care for those in need. Throughout the history of the church there have been many times when we have not been much better. I sometimes wonder if the only thing keeping God from treating us the same way is the fact that we are living in a period of grace.
Last week, our guest speaker said something which I thought was quite proufound. He said that our concern for others should not come out of guilt, but out of gratitude. I am glad that my children have enough to eat, and shelter to keep them safe. I needn't feel guilty about this, it is okay to be greateful that my kids are well off. It is that gratitude that should inspire us to help bring that same justice to those who lack it.
My church is certainly on a big journey at the moment, and it is not over yet. The next step for me is to seek God on what specifically He is calling me to do.
Life is never boring when you follow Jesus!
Labels: bible, justice, poverty
