When Rite is Not Right
Isaiah 58: 7 “Share your bread with the hungry”
A first reading of this verse displays an expected action on the part of all GodÂ’s people. When we know Christ as our Lord and Savior, there is a great concern laid on our hearts for others, and it becomes impossible to have and not share with those who do not have. TodayÂ’s text however speaks to much more than that. It challenges us to question what motivates our actions. Do we do what is rite, or what is right?
A first reading of this verse displays an expected action on the part of all GodÂ’s people. When we know Christ as our Lord and Savior, there is a great concern laid on our hearts for others, and it becomes impossible to have and not share with those who do not have. TodayÂ’s text however speaks to much more than that. It challenges us to question what motivates our actions. Do we do what is rite, or what is right?
A rite is a ritual, a formal procedure, a habit. In Isaiah 58, the prophet speaks of the transgression of Judah. They did what was required of them, they enjoyed going through the rituals. This gave them a sense of satisfaction, a comfort that they were indeed doing what the Lord required of them. As a result they just could not understand GodÂ’s apparent lack of response to their acts. The Lord however accuses them of totally missing the point. There they were abusing their employees, having fist-fights while fasting, doing everything they should not be doing, but still expecting God to respond to their rites.
Where does today find you my friend? Are you present for services without fail, always at mid-week services, always involved in what is happening in church? At the same time are you suffering from a lack of spiritual fulfillment in your life? Are you feeling that something is lacking? Do you often feel that you are praying in vain as the answers are just not coming forth? Are you thinking that something is wrong with your church?
Maybe itÂ’s time to examine what drives you to do the things you do. Time to reflect on your relationship with God. Although Judah did all they should, they lacked the most important aspect of true worship. It had become a ritual for them. Their hearts, minds and souls were not involved. You see friends, true worship must engulf the entire being. It cannot be a moment of rites and you are gone. It has to be a moment when you are able to forget about everything else and become engulfed, surrounded and permeated with the Spirit of Almighty God, creating a life changing experience.
It is when we constantly rise from these life-changing experiences that we can truly become sharers of our bread with the hungry. We will be compelled by the Spirit to share our spiritual bread as well as our physical bread with the hungry. How can you share if you do not receive, and how can you receive if you do not truly worship? Remember it is those who receive who are expected to give, and the more we receive, the more we are expected to give. [Luke 12: 48]. Face today then, not on the conviction of doing rite, but on the foundation of being right with God through our relationship with Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord.
Where does today find you my friend? Are you present for services without fail, always at mid-week services, always involved in what is happening in church? At the same time are you suffering from a lack of spiritual fulfillment in your life? Are you feeling that something is lacking? Do you often feel that you are praying in vain as the answers are just not coming forth? Are you thinking that something is wrong with your church?
Maybe itÂ’s time to examine what drives you to do the things you do. Time to reflect on your relationship with God. Although Judah did all they should, they lacked the most important aspect of true worship. It had become a ritual for them. Their hearts, minds and souls were not involved. You see friends, true worship must engulf the entire being. It cannot be a moment of rites and you are gone. It has to be a moment when you are able to forget about everything else and become engulfed, surrounded and permeated with the Spirit of Almighty God, creating a life changing experience.
It is when we constantly rise from these life-changing experiences that we can truly become sharers of our bread with the hungry. We will be compelled by the Spirit to share our spiritual bread as well as our physical bread with the hungry. How can you share if you do not receive, and how can you receive if you do not truly worship? Remember it is those who receive who are expected to give, and the more we receive, the more we are expected to give. [Luke 12: 48]. Face today then, not on the conviction of doing rite, but on the foundation of being right with God through our relationship with Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord.
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