Blessings and joy as you embrace another week. Let us also continue to embrace the word of God.
This week Devotional reading: 1 CHRONICLES 6:10
God is not honored by any external act of obedience when it is not representative of our hearts. In fact, during a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus quoted Isaiah about their worthless traditions,
declaring their worship was in vain because, though they honored God with their lips, their hearts were far from God (Matt. 15:8-9).
God is never honored solely because we lift our voices or our hands, because we come to church or even share with our friends. These things honor to God when they serve as a picture of hearts that truly rejoice in God’s goodness. The Israelites knew what it was to have God dwell among them, and they knew what it meant to live without God’s blessing. When the ark was returned, they had reason to celebrate, and their praises were a true reflection of joyful hearts.
Today, because of Jesus, God is in our lives, and God is most fully honored when we are truly thankful and joyful about our relationship with Him.
- How would you describe the joy you experience about your relationship with God?
- What will you do to cultivate more joy, so God is honored in your life?