Sometime God Doesn't Like The Worship Time Either

Ironically, there are times when God doesn't like worship.

Ironically, there are times when God doesn't like worship. Even though we're doing the things that are supposed to honor him, the Lord may still be displeased. Consider, for example, the latter half of Leviticus 26:31.

Consider, for example, the latter half of Leviticus 26:31. There the Lord says: "I will take no pleasure in your offerings that should be a pleasing aroma to me." What? Hasn't much of Leviticus been focused on specifying how sacrifices are to be made?

Is God saying that even when these are done by the book, he might still be displeased?

Yes, that is what God is saying.

In the context of Leviticus 26, we see that the Lord's displeasure in sacrifices comes when his people consistently and intentionally reject him. Verse 27 speaks of the people being "hostile" to God. If their hearts reject the Lord, if their behavior spurns his sovereignty, then even if they offer their sacrifices in just the right manner, the Lord is not pleased.

Leviticus 26:31 points to a theme that proliferates in the Old Testament prophets. Consider Amos 5:21-24, for example: "I hate all your show and pretense the— hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings.

Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living."

If our worship is to be truly pleasing to God, then it must issue from a heart of love and a life of obedience. God will delight in our hymns and songs, our prayers and preaching, if we are living each day for him. Our worship in church will honor the Lord if it reflects the worship of our daily lives.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/when-god-doesnt-worship

by Mark O. Roberts