Sincerity in Seeking!

Then the Lord said, “Because this nation approaches [Me only] with their words And honors Me [only] with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me is a tradition that is learned by rote [without any regard for its meaning], ISAIAH 29:13 AMP

1. 'This nation approaches me'. It is the usual expected ceremony. The focus is on the external. God focuses on the heart. Paul says for anyone to approach God on his terms, that person 'must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of all who diligently seek him. This is God speaking. Men may see it as an approach; God sees it as words, no sincerity.

2. 'This nation honours God'. We have Praise/worship sessions, Praise/worship leaders. It only stays on the lips. We have brought God down to our level, thinking he can't read our motives. We climb the altar with secret sins, and descend it feeling like we are the best of people, forgetting that God cannot be mocked.

Both approach and honouring God are his commands. He also has a pattern/mode of approach and honour, and we only get blessed when we act according to his pattern.

3. They remove their hearts far from Me. You have the final decision on your heart. Guard your heart with all diligence. Whatever goes into it is your responsibility, and eternity is tied to your decisions.

4. Their reverence for Me is a tradition. There is a reverence for God that is like practice; like something crammed, not sincere, not from the heart. Tradition is a hindrance. The usual, recognised way of doing things is the greatest hindrance to knowing and experiencing God.

Men see the activity and applaud the obvious and physical. This is the more popular option. Unfortunately, the world's applause is the highest reward. God sees the heart and applauds the sincere search for him. This is very scarce, but the rewards are both physical down here and eternal with God. Which one will it be for you? His time of favour is here.