Going Through the Motions Does Not Impress God

Isaiah 58:4b: "You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."

One of the fascinations with the 58th chapter of Isaiah is God's rebuke of the people of Judah for having a "form of godliness but denying its power" (see 2 Timothy 3:5). These people were a sinful brood, who in their contumacious spirit mocked the Holiness of God by failing to set aside time to reflect upon and worship Him. They also showed disdain for the Lord by their violation of His commands to love their fellowman. In effect, these Israelites who were great at going through the motions of religion ("worship services, fasting, etc.) were exploiting the helpless and were fighting amongst themselves. Whereas they might have "seemed eager" to know God through their "spirituality," in reality, these people were self-serving hedonists who satisfied their own pleasures (58:3).

God responded to these Israelites by saying, "Don't bother with your presumed acts of righteousness. You might think that you're impressing Me by making some personal sacrifice (even fasting from food) on My behalf, but I see your true colors. You are a people who claim a religious heritage; but you are so far removed from my favor, that your wasting your time."

In the end, God called their spirituality contemptible. He would not hear their petitions for His Divine favor. Even if the people would decry that their "righteous acts" were not being recognized by the Lord, He would not acquiesce to their hypocrisy. What God wanted to see is the evidential fruit of true spiritual transformation. He wanted the people of Judah to surrender to the Lord, and follow His commands . . . by "loosening the chains of injustice . . . sharing food with the hungry . . . and providing shelter for the wanderer" (58:7). And God wanted the people to respect the Sabbath as a day of true reflection and worship of Him. In response to such genuineness of spirit by His people, the Lord in turn would answer their prayers and would guide them always, satisfying their needs in the midst of a dry, barren land.

This is a great word for us today. We find in our nation that the overwhelming majority of people profess an acknowledgement to God; and many participate in weekly religious services, thinking that such commitment obligates the Lord to shower His Divine favor upon them. Much like the people of Judah 2700 years ago, these people today conclude that God owes them for their taking time out of their busy schedules to attend a worship service or give money to a charitable organization. It's as if these people think that God is a peer who is contractually obligated to give back for their "acts of righteousness."

Just as God would not be mocked for such insolence, so too He will not condone such pseudo-spirituality. When people today call out to the Lord (without a heart inclined to Him), He will not hear them. He will not respond with the abundance of His blessing until these people truly turn from their wickedness both in heart and action.

Still, what is wonderful is that God is ready to extend His favor to those who would yield themselves to His Lordship. To this day, the Lord promises that if we will submit to Him, He in turn will give us His joy. We will "ride on the heights of the land (and will) feast on (His eternal) inheritance" (58:14).