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Woship is a big thing in today's churches. Who doesn't enjoy the music worship led by charismatic worship leaders accompanied by a group of wonderful musicians and backup singers? Music worship is an important element but should not be all of a Christian's worship life. Learning from the Bible, we know that God wants a holistic worship life from us, and that includes what we say and do every day. Isaiah 58 teaches us what kind of worship life really pleases God.

The passage begins with Israel blaming God for not seeing all the "good" worship lifestyle they lead: they seek God out every day, eager to know God's way, do what is right, ask God for just decisions, desire for God's presence, and practice fasts. But it seems like God never appreciated what they did. (v.2-3a)

Since it seems like His people don't know where they did wrong, God points out that the problem is with their hearts: "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists." (v.3b-4a, NIV) Fasting is supposed to be a time of mourning, repentance, and praying in tranquillity and humbleness. But the house of Jacob mistreats their employees and peers during their worship. That kind of sugarcoating worship is not acceptable to God, so He says: "You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high." (v4b)

Then God teaches the true worship that He has chosen: to loose the chains of injustice, untie the cords of the yoke, set the oppressed free, break every yoke, share food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter, clothe the naked, and not to turn away from their kin. (v.5-7) God promises that not only He will bless the true worshippers with all kinds of blessings, but they will also be His witnesses to the world. (v.8-12) That's not all. God further promises that true worshipper will "find joy in the Lord" and inherit eternal life. (v.13-14) What a promise! True worship is to love God and people at the same time. "And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (1 John 4:21)

May we all become true worshipers so we live a life that pleases God. Share with your devotional partner how you can worship God better in one area of your life. Pray for each other that our worship will be of God's choice.