QT 4 Nov 15, Isa 58:1-3, Real worship is not in religious activities

Isa 58:1-3 (ESV) "Cry aloud; do not hold back;

 lift up your voice like a trumpet;

 declare to my people their transgression,

to the house of Jacob their sins.

2  Yet they seek me daily

and delight to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that did righteousness

and did not forsake the judgment of their God;

they ask of me righteous judgments;

they delight to draw near to God.

3  'Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?'

Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,

 and oppress all your workers.

NOTE: This so much describes the "religious" church or the nominal "believer." They "seek" God but only for their benefit. They go through the motions but only because they believe they will benefit or for some sad good luck ritual reasoning. And then they wonder why God ignores their prayers, and yet there is no "real" spiritual life within their souls. They are more interested in what they gain than in knowing the God of the universe. Quite frankly, God has made it clear that he is sick of this type of worship: of rules, of meaningless activities, of perverse righteousness (the holier than thou attitude)--God is tired of it all. It is not what he wants. It is not AT ALL what he desires. Later in the passage he describes the true actions--actions that show real care for people and a humility before God and man. That is what he has called us to, not this sham that we call religion. Lord, purge us of facades and draw us close to you.