31. An Abomination to the LORD!

"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

But He loves him who follows righteousness."

Proverbs 15:8-9

"The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,

But the words of the pure are pleasant."

Proverbs 15:26

The Sacrifice. All external acts of worship, all deeds of religious activity, all public displays of humility without internal love and faithfulness are an abomination to the LORD. Going through the religious life performing "good" deeds by putting yourself on display is NOT proper worship to God. When did Jesus become a religion? What ever happened to our first love? The love we felt when he came and broke through time and space to pierce our souls with the conviction that Jesus is alive and loves us enough to pay our price by His death on the cross? Traditions, rituals, habits... these are not in them selves bad, but if they replace our relationship with Jesus and become our religion than we have fallen far from our Truest Love. The way of the wicked. His life pattern, his habits, his speech, his time spent with others, everything he says or does, it is an abomination to the LORD. For the wicked do not love God, they have no appreciation for what He has done, and they care not about the things that God cares about. They only want to live their lives for themselves and once a week (or less) come before God and be religious. He loves those who follow righteousness. Evidence of a believer can be found in the fruit that they bare (Matthew 7:16), whether or not they were ever truly saved should be seen by the unbroken pattern of their lives, public and personal. The thoughts. Finaly we see the issue that sums the ones read before, that even the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD. Once again God is not looking at what we do externally, but the Lord searches the Heart. We as christians can not be perfect while in these bodies, but what is the pattern of our life? is it righteous living in thought and deed, or are we hiding our sins behind the falasy of self-righteousness.

Father, You know me better than i know myself, and You have seen my life in brokenness. You have seen the idolatry of my past and the wicked way i used to live. Yet You are forever faithful and Your love knows no end, You show mercy to those who are an abomination against You, Your loving kindness is bigger than the vast horizon; with no end in sight. Look deep inside my soul and seek things that are unpleasant to You, reveal to me the things that grieve You that i might confess them to you and repent of my sins. Lord, Let my thoughts be pleasant to You my God, my source of Righteousness.

"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Jeremiah 17:10