DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: DECEMBER 20 AVOID GIVING GOD EMPTY PRAISE SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 29: 13; Malachi 1: 6 – 14

In the commercial and political societies, we see what can be referred to as empty praise. In commercial society, we see advertisement departments presenting products to the public so beautifully so that good sales are made. Most often, the advertised products are unnecessarily praised above their real qualities. In the political world, politicians are presented to electorates in a manipulative manner, making the candidates too worthy for elections.

Among the Christians, empty praise falls into giving God lip services and worshipping God in worthlessness. Prophet Malachi conveyed God’s heart to the people of Israel over giving God unworthy worship and thanksgiving (Malachi 1: 6 – 14). They gave God polluted bread at the altar; blind and sick animals for sacrifices. We give God empty praise when our singing and dancing as well as words of, exaltation given falls short of pure worship. We give God empty praise when our worship to God is not with “worshipping God in Spirit and truth (John 4: 24). Empty praise outwardly honour God, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit but not rooted in the Spirit of man or from the inner heart.

Our praises to God can be empty praises when we sing, praise and dance in the congregations for personal recognitions. Ability to singing, praising and dancing with good steps are gifts from God. Therefore, we are to give them back to God in true worship and thanksgiving. We should not give God praise for our self-promotion. Christian singing artistes should know that if they are singing from churches to churches for personal promotion or gratification; they are not far away from giving empty praises.

Celebration of Christmas is fast approaching. The dominant features to witness every day will be Praise Nights; Christmas Carol, Music Concerts and related activities. Our participations should not be for fund raising, personal gratification, and personal recognitions and for gains. Any time our intentions for organising praises with ulterior motive to enrich ourselves, the exercises lose the meaning and credibility. Praises must be dominated with reverence to God and Jesus in our hearts. We should avoid lip service renditions of praises. God talks against this in Isaiah 29: 13. Jesus’ birth into the world brings true joy to the world. Anything done in commemorating His birth must proceed out of genuineness of hearts. We must celebrate His birth with true worship and praises which will bring rejoicing into the world.

PRAYER:

OH LORD GOD, deliver me from giving you empty praises that does not mean anything to you. Let my praise towards you be genuine and sincere from my spirit body and soul in Jesus name.

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