I’ll probably reveal my age when I mention this but I was in middle school when the movie “Grease” came out starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. I knew every word to “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” I could probably still manage it in karaoke! Sandy was so devoted to Danny and it made our teenage hearts swoon.
We are all devoted to someone or something. It could be our spouse, our family, our jobs, our sports team, our homes….you get the idea. But where does our devotion to God stand? As I am studying Isaiah this week this question is foremost in my mind. The Israelites looked like they were trying to please God but it did not flow through to their actions. They would fast and make sacrifices but then neglect what God had called them to do (help the oppressed, feed the poor, clothe the naked and take care of their families). Then they wondered why God didn’t meet their every need.
Before we pass judgment on “those Israelites”, let me ask a few questions:
· Do you go to church just to check off a box for the week so that you don’t feel guilty or make God mad?
· Do you go to church but refuse to listen to what the sermon addresses because you might have to actually do something?
· Do you plan your grocery list during the sermon time or ponder where you’ll have lunch?
· Do you leave church and then proceed to yell at your spouse and/or kids? Or maybe you go out to lunch and treat the wait staff poorly and leave a pitiful tip?
· Do you piously carry your Bible to church and then put it on the shelf the rest of the week?
· When you do serve someone, do you announce it to the world so that you get the accolades?
· Do you ever take the time to thank those who teach God’s Word, week after week (your Pastor, Sunday School teacher, small group leader)? How about those that teach your children?
The list is virtually endless. I have some hard news. God knows our hearts and does not need our insincere devotion. In fact it is offensive to Him. He wants us to delight in Him. When we do He promises His blessing to us including blessings of peace and joy.
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 58:13-14 NIV
We will all have days that our hearts are just not in it for whatever reason. But if you think about all that God has done in your life it is hard not to be hopelessly devoted. I love to sing so it helps to put me in the right frame of mind before worship if I sing an upbeat praise song or two. Prayer is also vital! We need His strength to do what may not be natural to us. This is Jesus speaking:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
He is also faithful to keep His promises:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
Will you strive to be just as hopelessly devoted to God as He is to you?
Have a great day!