Just as we talked about New Years and New Resolutions last week, we are reminded by the Epiphany of the Lord, that our praise and devotion must be made new daily, even in the cycle of life. Often, we allow our praises and prayer to become routine and rote, However, we must remember that the God we serve is worthy of our prayers, and just as we have new experiences, and new reasons for prayer and praise, we must incorporate that into our worship life and not hold anything back. The purpose of prayer and praise is to honor God, and not to simply check items off the to-do list. Therefore worship must be an expression of our utmost devotion, and we must have undivided loyalty to God. Isaiah warns Judah of the results of divided loyalty, and that the people must always serve God far above and beyond any other objects or items clamoring for our devotion.
Scripture: Isaiah 42:10-17
10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. 11 Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim his praise in the islands. 13 The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout, he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies. 14 “For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. 17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
Horizon Community Church 