Isaiah 1:11-15 are Bible verses that are really quite terrifying! But these passages demonstrated what can happen when mankind goes off on their own and away from Christ alone by faith alone.

These verses are a graphic warning for us today that God is not interested in high-production fluff, tradition, concerts, and the big show that is so common to most churches. What He desires most is our faith. God is not satisfied with empty religious acts and meaningless traditions. He doesn’t care about the burnt offerings of rams, the fat of fed beasts, or the blood of bullocks, lambs, or goats. He is not pleased with incense, new moons, sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies that lack faith. God wants our hearts to be in it. God wants our faith, He wants mankind to believe what He says!

‘“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough (Remember this is God speaking and He’s saying “I’ve had it!”) of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.’

Isaiah 1:11-15

The main point of controversy that God had with the Nation of Israel was not their adherence to the strict instructions of Temple worship, which they followed precisely, but their lack of faith. Despite their meticulous attention to detail, their approach to God had become lifeless and devoid of faith. Similarly, many churches today go through the motions of religious practices without truly embracing the underlying truths, fundamentals, and doctrine with faith. God desires simple faith above all else.

God is not interested in a big show; He desires our faith. He wants us to trust Him, to study, to know and have faith in His word, and to rely on His promises. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Let us not get caught up in the show of worship, let us pray that we never just go through the motions of worshipping the One Who shed His blood for us. But let us worship God because of our faith (with all our heart) in what He has done on our behalf at the cross. Let us put all our trust in Christ alone (Christ crucified, bloodshed, death, burial, and resurrection), study His word, and walk in His ways. Let us not merely go through the motions of religion, but let us have a living faith that brings glory to God.

‘Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Hebrews 10:19-25