The prophet Isaiah is speaking a prophecy against the nation of Israel. The Lord spoke through Isaiah to tell them in no uncertain terms that He did not approve of their continued rejection of Almighty God as their God. They persisted in turning to worthless idols rather than to the One True God.

Often as we read texts such as this one today, we can’t relate to how it might apply to us. What does Israel’s turning from the Lord to idols have to do with modern-day Christians? Quite a bit more than you might think! Not much has changed in the last 2,500 years as it relates to the way people respond to God. We may not be Jews, God’s Chosen People, but we are God’s children. As such we do many of the same things the Jews did. Many of the warnings and exhortations to the Jews apply directly to the 21st Century Christian.

Today’s verse tells us that the Jews were guilty of not paying attention to God. They knew about Him, but they did not listen to Him or do what He told them to do. They had the Law given to them by Moses to teach them how to live with God in fellowship and communion. They had the prophets to help them understand the world around them and to point them back to God whenever they wandered away from Him.

Even though this verse was written more than two thousand years ago it could easily be spoken to many of the Christians who sit in churches today. For years they have heard the truth about God and how He wants to work in our lives. Sermon after sermon has described to them the life Jesus died to give them. Message after message has instructed them in the pathway to the abundant life Jesus promised to His people. And just like the Hebrews of Isaiah’s time they refuse to act upon what they know.

This was very frustrating to Isaiah. He knew that the Jews were headed for disaster because they refused to do what God wanted them to do; because they refused to go where He wanted them to go. As a pastor, I can feel that same frustration as I preach week after week knowing that many people are there because a sense of obligation and not so they can know Christ.

Going to church is meaningless if you are not going to meet with Jesus. Showing up on Sunday will not please God if you do not come with a heart to please God in your worship. Attending church services may be a waste of time if you have no desire to serve God. God has no interest in people filling churches; He wants churches filled with people who are coming to be filled with His Spirit. Don’t come so that you can say you did; come so that you can do what He tells you to do. Jesus, give us Your heart of obedience.

Read: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35