Empty rites

Many times we limit ourselves to following the routine of the Christian life and we ask ourselves: Why doesn't God bless me? Why am I not receiving health care? Why am I not prosperous? Why is there no blessing in my family? Why doesn't my emotional state change? Why are my finances not blessed?

Perhaps it is because although we have retained the rites of religion, we do not enjoy the present presence of God with us. We have to look for that real Power of God! We have to go where his active Presence is, and impart reality to the rites in which we participate.

The Hebrews had no spiritual discernment, and believed that simply by having the ark of the covenant with them they would be assured of victory in war. But despite carrying the ark into battle, they suffered a terrible defeat. The Philistines, staunch enemies of Israel, defeated God's people and took possession of the Ark. They had it with them for twenty years.

What happens in a nation when both the people and the civil authorities, and even the ecclesiastical authorities, have turned away from God and his blessing is no longer upon them? What's going on? God's presence is leaving. His presence is impeded. The gifts of the Spirit, the anointing of God, the Shalom of God cannot inhabit such a land.

What happens when people believe that the presence of God is made possible through empty rites, programs, songs, merely physical things, and not through the actual presence of God that blesses and gives life to those things? What happens many times in the Churches? The presence of God is gone, but the people continue with the religious routine.

People continue singing as if nothing; the organs continue to play as usual; lights and microphones turn on when service begins. Everything a church does is done. Even the symbol of the ark remains in place as a supposed sign of the presence and movement of God. But God is not in any of those things. Its presence does not reside in metal or wood.

We believe that with hollow praises, mere program, empty rituals that do not truly represent a people who are living and enjoying the presence of God; We believe that with that we will receive the blessing and be successful in our battles, our fights against Satan and all the forces that want to destroy our life. But we suffered defeat.

God does not fall in love with a piece of wood even if it is covered in gold! Or any other symbol, even if it has blessed it in another time. The Ark itself had no absolute importance or value. The Ark was simply a symbol of God's presence. One would have thought, "God is never going to allow that ark to be taken." It was too sacred a symbol.

But it was taken! It was taken because the presence of God was not there at that time. And in that fact lies a lesson for our Churches.

If we come to the Church believing that simply because the Pastor or the musicians are going to perform certain rites we are going to be blessed, we are tragically wrong. One has to actively participate in the symbols of faith for them to have meaning.

Actions in and of themselves mean nothing. What makes the difference is the heart that joins the action and updates it and turns it into the power of God. My experience, my heart, my passion, have to be linked to the gestures of my religion. God does not want empty rituals. He will never bless the rubble of a dead religion. We have to cry out to the Lord for a fresh visitation of His power, so that He may once again breathe His Spirit into our meetings, and we can be that glorious Church that He needs in these end times.