HAPPY MONDAY!
An old friend shines fresh light on today’s word-of-the-week…
WORSHIP
Most churches seem to have “worship leaders” who play guitars or keyboards, so I guess worship means music.
I don’t think that’s correct. Worship is about how we live our lives, not singing for a few minutes on Sunday. I’m studying an old sermon from my friend Al Helder that explores the Biblical link between acceptable worship and justice.
In Isaiah 1 God rejects the ritual sacrifices of His people, which is sort of odd at first glance. God seems angry at the very sacrifices He commanded. But then the prophet goes on to explain that the sacrifices have become empty because they’re no longer accompanied by acts of social justice.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)
Worship and justice are linked. Without care for the poor and marginalized, worship becomes empty and meaningless to God.
Later the prophet Micah asks (Micah 6) how to worship—and provides a simple answer.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
Apparently worship is something beyond cool music.
It’s Monday. This might be a good week to worship God’s way.
Have a great week.
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