May 7, 2025

IN VAIN

Isaiah 29:13

So the Lord said, “These people draw near to Me and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and they worship Me in vain, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.”

Personal Challenge

Those who study history know that those who do not end up repeating history. This is not new. This has been the case throughout the history of mankind. Those who spend time reading the Old Testament scriptures recognize that the nation of Israel continually, prepeated their history by not remembering it. In this verse, Isaiah is calling out his fellow country people for once again offering empty and heretical worship to God when their heartrs were far from God. As a people who proclaim to be Christians, so many today are repeating this historical activity. It is acceptible to wear crosses for the public to see and to participate
in worship performance with lifted hands, all the while treating migrants with disdain, taking needed care away from those who cannot fend for themselves, and spewing words of hatred and contempt for others. Even mockery of religious and spiritual truths have returned. As God told the Jewish nation through Isaiah that all their “religious” actions were in vain because their hearts were far from Him, so too, does this accusation ring true today. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!