Have you ever gotten in trouble when you thought you were doing the right thing? God can see our hearts. We can’t hide from God. This was an interesting passage of rebuke. “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! Yet they act so pious!”
The Israelites truly didn’t understand what was wrong. They were fasting, praying, and showing up at the temple every day. It seemed they were doing everything they were “supposed to do” by going through the “holy motions.” But it was their hearts. They loved making a “show” of the behaviors, as it that would allow them to live the lives they wanted the rest of the time.
We see that still today. People show up to church on Sunday morning to pray, sing, and listen to the Bible. What happens the rest of the week? Do they open their Bibles? Do they pray? Do they follow God’s instructions to help the needy? “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
That strikes a chord with me because not a week goes by that we don’t have people coming to our door begging for food. I have gotten hardened to that lately. I’ll never forget the time I shared some vegetables with a mom and her four muddy-faced children. She threw it on the ground in front of the neighbor’s house after she thought I had gone inside. I haven’t let that stop me from giving, but I try to avoid giving from my front door.
Injustice, inhumanity, and inequality are all themes that seem to be woven through this passage. Again, these are the words we are given. “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” Whether we do this as individuals or as a church, the message is clear. Give. Feed.
God has gifted each one of us for some special service to others. That’s what is so great about being part of a church. When members come together, each with a different gift, so much more can be done. God equips his church in just the right way. The message through our prophet today is focused on our responsibilities to society. If we can only look outside of ourselves for a moment.
We don’t know what others are going through. We’re either busy putting up walls of our own or wearing blinders hoping the injustice will just go away. It won’t resolve on its own. In what ways can we make a difference?
Take some time today to ask God to show you where you are needed. Be careful not to ask this if you’re not prepared to move in ways that might be uncomfortable. Moving abroad to Mexico for us was one of those examples of God working through our situations. He brought us to a place where we could serve him using our gifts and talents in a different way.
Let’s pray … Lord, I want to be obedient to you above all. Help me to be helpful to those less fortunate. Give me your eyes so I can see the needs around me. Thank you for the resources you have given me to share with others. Continue your work in me to make me into the person you want me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
