Amos chapter 8 verses 4-6 (NIV)
Hear this, you who trample the needy
and do away with the poor of the land, saying, “When will the New Moon be over
that we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath be ended
that we may market wheat?” —
skimping on the measure,
boosting the price
and cheating with dishonest scales,
buying the poor with silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
selling even the sweepings with the wheat.
Here we read that Amos revealed how God knew what was really in the hearts of the people of Israel. They were going through the motions of keeping the Sabbath and the festivals instituted by God. It was an outward show and in reality they couldn’t wait for the Sabbath to be over so they could spend the time doing whatever they wanted.
Do we sometimes go through the motions on a Sunday, or at any other appointed time? When we should be focusing on worship are we just waiting for it all to be over so that we can go home and get on with what’s going on in our lives? God knows our hearts and the sincerity of what we say and even sing. He’s looking for us to be wholehearted in our worship and service, and not just on a Sunday either. He’s so faithful to us, is it too much to expect us to be faithful in return?
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your faithful love. You are more than worthy of my faithful and wholehearted worship and praise. Forgive me for the times where I have merely gone through the motions, with my mind on other things. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.