Seek Him

Amos 5:4-5 KJV

4 For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: 5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.

In this section of scripture, God is lamenting over Israel and how they follow religious rituals and have the outward appearance of piety, but their hearts are not true.

Bethel, Gilgal and Beersheba were cities which held shrines. The Israelites would make pilgrimages to these places, but not offer true worship. God tells them that those cities (and the shrines in them) will perish some day. "Worship" by following the rules/guidelines of a religion will not please God. Worship needs to come from the heart and a heart truly set on worship will seek God.

 Jeremiah 29:13

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

This made me think about how we "worship". My first thought was of the Catholic faith and all their rituals. Many times people do these rituals but can't even explain why they do them. However, this can also be seen in evangelical worship as well.

If we go to church and sing the songs, but our heart isn't in it, then it really isn't true worship. We can look like we are seeking God, but not be seeking Him in our heart. What good does that do?

Amos 5:6a KJV

Seek the LORD, and ye shall live;

Examine your heart? Do you do religious rituals just because or in a heart of worship? Is your heart truly seeking Him?