Keep It Simple

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Prov 15:8
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
NIV
It certainly would appear God is not pleased with any outward expression of religion that does not flow from a pure heart of devotion. All the fluff and puff of ceremonial religious it is expression is not only displeasing to God, it is an abomination to him. It would seem it does not matter how large and how fancy a cathedral is, how much it is adorned with trappings of fine linen and gold, even if it is made of shining glass with floors of rich marble. Not even all the massive chandeliers of crystal with walls covered with great paintings by the masters of old may be detestable to him if the worship does not come from a pure heart of devotion. Nothing that man can build or any act that he can exercise that is devised to show his religious goodness to the rest of man is detestable to God. But the simple prayer of faith from a person who has accepted his son Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is a sweet aroma of praise to him. It does not take all the religious hullabaloo to please God, just the quite time of prayer, of spending time talking and listening with him. When He created mankind he did not build them a great church and drape them is the best of clothing so they could worship him in all the grandeur and splendor of this world. He simply wanted to be able to walk and talk with them in the cold of the day within the garden. But because man could not keep it simple, God instructed them to build a place they could think he would live in and so come to visit him. Man has turned something beautiful into what is detestable. We do not need all that extravagant show of religious uprightness; we simple need to be alone with God in the inner garden of our life. Keep it simple