Worship Weariness

by Dennis Abernathy

Malachi said Israel was weary, bored, and tired of worship. (Malachi 1: 13). It was too demanding and had become a grievous chore rather than an exalted privilege, a burden instead of a blessing.

Fast forward to today. Many want shorter sermons, with less Scripture and more wit, less identification and exposure of sin, and smooth speech with less doctrinal content. People don’t want to be reminded of their sins. Calls for modesty, faithfulness, and godly living are held in disdain. Social drinking is justified, sexual immorality is becoming the norm, and gambling is becoming an epidemic. Entertainment has become our religion, and religion our entertainment! Many avoid Bible classes and worship services to do other things they desire. Instead of “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6: 33), such is way down the priority list.

The prophet Isaiah echoed the same theme in Isaiah 43. In Isaiah 43:22, God said: “But you have not called upon Me…and you have been weary of Me, O Israel.” Sadly, many of God’s people today have become weary of God’s ways and of the exertion and effort necessary to serve Him. But, the sad thing about “worship weariness” is that it wearies God. In Isaiah 43:24, God said: “But you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities.”

The Psalmist said: “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalms 122: 1). How much better off we would be today if our attitude toward worship and service to God was the attitude expressed in this psalm. Worship should not be a weariness or burden but a joy and an attitude of gladness for the opportunity to worship our God, the Creator of the world.

Think on these things.