Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Isaiah 1:10-18

Dear God, this is all so devastating to hear, and yet, I know this is as much for us (me) today as it was for the Israelites thousands of years ago.

I can’t help but think of some of the churches I know of who, from my perspective (and I could very well be wrong) have made a idol out of worshipping on Sunday morning. During the pandemic they continue their meetings as normal (some of which still don’t take basis safety precautions such as no masks). I know I can take a passage and interpret it any way that I want, but this whole part about worshipping vainly in your name makes me think about that:

When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.

We are such stubborn people, and I am included in this. So how am I being stubborn? How am I depending on your grace to save me instead of just turning loose of my sin and having a legitimate relationship with you?

Father, I am sorry I waste as much time as I waste. I use too much of my time each evening doing unproductive things like watching YouTube videos instead of being productive on other projects you might have for me. Help me to continue to move towards the man you need me to be. Love others through me. Use my life for your kingdom. Move me out of lethargy and into the actions you have for me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen