ESOCS Devotional 23 July 2021
TEXT: JEREMIAH 7:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: ““Trust ye not in lying words, saying, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these” (Jeremiah 7:4 KJV).
Judah as a people involved themselves in idolatry, injustice, oppression (of the fatherless, the widow, and the stranger), shedding of innocent blood, stealing, adultery, swearing falsely, trusting in lying words, religious rituals (burning incense unto Baal and lighting candle regularly, offering burnt sacrifices), and serving other gods they did not know. They also went to the Temple regularly to worship (and to stay for protection). They believed these religious rituals and going to the Temple daily would protect and save them. Contrary to this, God used Jeremiah to condemn this belief, while letting them know He would destroy them if they did not repent, but would never destroy His temple.
If we go to the Prayer House daily, carry out religious and worship rituals, but maintain a sinful lifestyle, we are deceiving ourselves. Religion without personal commitment to God is worthless. Church attendance, partaking in Holy Communion, teaching in Sunday school, attending Sunday school, singing in the choir, prophesying, burning incense and candle during prayer, bathing water mixed with Grace or Holy Michael perfumes, etc. are all empty exercises, unless they have godly content and if we are doing it for God and using them, believing they are nothing on their own without God. It is good to do these activities, not because we want to do them for the church or ourselves, but for God, if He revealed and directed so, for our blessing or wellbeing.
We should not use the Prayer House and its worship and religious rituals, or religious affiliations as a refuge or hide out. Going to church every day or belonging to a particular church must not become more important to us than God and the pursuit of holiness, righteousness, and spiritual sanctity; it cannot save. Only God, and not the Temple or its worship and rituals, saves.
- Is there conflict with your knowledge of the meaning of worshipping God?
- Ask God for a better understanding of what worshipping of Him means.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 1:1-21; Isaiah 5, 58, 59:1-13. Psalm 95:1-6; 100
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 23 July 2021
