"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer also shall be abomination." Pr 28

It is interesting that this comes so near before a giving of the Gospel:

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Pr 28

The prayer which is an abomination could be a praying of the sinner's prayer; it could also be any psalm of praise.

Before you dare open your mouth to praise, open your ear to the Law.

The devils tremble at God's glory - God cares nothing for it. When they threw themselves down before Christ, proclaiming him to be the Holy One, did he have any need of that? He silenced them and cast them out of his presence.

Is this you? Is this you, falling down on your knees, lifting your hands on high, trembling in every joint, in deep sincerity proclaiming the holiness and godhead of Christ - silenced and cast out of Christ's presence because you weren't even curious at the very least to listen to his commandments?

It is said that we should be in church to worship.

"...when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood."

Even if your hands are not full of blood, Christ says that if thy brother has anything against you,

"leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Mt 5

Anything amiss, and God says to forget about worship. To obey is better than sacrifice.

"herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Acts 24

This is the prerequisite. Only saints can offer worship.

"golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints" Rev 5

If you do not have the desire even to know what God has commanded much less to keep it, songs of praise are not for you to sing.

"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isa 1

Be in church to search your soul, to repent of anything contrary to God's Law, to take responsibility for obedience as God truly desires - then, and only then, to worship.

#sabbathposts 2023/11/11