True Heart of Obedience

Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12

The Lord reveals the shallow worship of his people through the prophet Isaiah. They appear to have a spiritual life devoted to the Lord. On the surface, they enjoy approaching God. Even when they perform these acts of worship for the Lord, the people wonder why their prayers go unanswered. God, on the other hand, sees their hearts. He reveals the truth that his people did not fast with the true heart, but rather as a ritual. God did not approve of their fasting because they do not accompany it with a true heart of obedience.

The most appropriate worship and fasting to God are when they quit oppressing others, pointing the finger at others to discover where they are at fault, and speaking wickedness. These are commission sins. They are sins we commit against the LORD and others. We must pause and guard against commission sins if we want to walk right with God.

God blesses true worshippers. God promises to continually guide people who perform more than merely hollow religious practices. They will have spiritual health and life that the superficial follower of God will never know.