I don't believe that there is anyone on the planet that really enjoys being criticized. Coached? Yes. Encouraged? Yes. Criticized? Hardly. Maybe that is the reason that we are selective about reading from the prophets of old.

Isaiah starts his written statement to his people: God says the following - you guys are creeping me out. You call it worship and I call it disgusting. You call it prayer and I call it pure monologue, not dialogue. You don't worship me, you just do your ritual. And it makes me sad. Even mad. So here is something that will get your attention.

Ouch.

It is not at the top of the to do list to analyze personal worship (Jesus has to take what he can get... at least that is what we present), but what does Jesus say about my worship? Acceptable or annoying? Are my hands clean when I come, or am I too busy to even take notice? Do I really want to assist the disenfranchised, or I am solely seeking to please self?

It will take someone that is serious to assess heart matters and address them without either running towards self-righteousness or falling into hopeless despair. Satan would have no greater delight than to see that happen.

Here is the bottom line to prevent something like that from occurring: Your heavenly Father never rebukes without the intention of addressing an issue that is hindering intimacy. Neither self-righteousness nor hopeless despair addresses the root. So the Father rebukes, but lovingly calls back to His own heart. He desires not just to point out wrong, but to remove whatever prevents intimacy. That is good news.

What does Jesus say about your worship?