No fooling God when you praise Him

Two examples of this can be seen in the Old Testament example of Aaron’s sons and the New Testament example of Ananias and Sapphira.

Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered

strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.

2 And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

As you look at the stories of the sons of Aaron and Ananias and Sapphira, you can certainly conclude that they were familiar with God’s House.

Nadab and Abihu had grown up looking at how Uncle Eli conducted the care of the House of God and they had even seen how Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phineas, mishandled the House of God, and were dealt with by God, as a result.

More importantly, they knew either by personal experience or by oral storytelling that the sons of Eli had misbehaved in the House of God and had refused to change. They also saw how Eli refused to correct his own sons.

Indeed Aaron’s sons became priests because of the errors of Eli’s sons.

Eli had messed up and God passed the baton of service onto the sons of Aaron.

So one would think that Nadab and Abihu would take good care in how they handled themselves.

1 Samuel 2: 34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

One thing you must understand is that God is a consuming fire and therefore He will not have false fire join with who He is — holy. Nothing false will last in the presence of God. 

You can look like a priest, dress like a priest, do the work of a priest, and God will look beyond all of that, examine your heart, and decide whether or not you should live in His presence.

That’s called judgment. That’s exactly what will happen at the judgment seat of God.

God, who is holy, will decide whether you should live with Him or whether you will be cast eternally out of His presence.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

The same thing happened with the couple, Ananias and Sapphira. They knew church and they knew how to do church.

If you read the text carefully, with understanding, you will learn that Ananias went to the temple during the time of sacrifice and his wife became concerned when he took so long to return. He should have been back. Church did not usually take that long.

God is very particular about people worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth”.

What’s in your heart when you come to the House of God? Is your heart set to praise Him? Are you able to forget about all else and honour the presence of God?

Are you able to lift up your voice and your heart, have them examined before God, and found pleasing in His sight?  Is God pleased with your praise?

Does your praise ascend as an aroma of sweet smells in the nostrils of God?

John 4:23 – 24  

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

You must be set to offer God the most pleasant fragrance possible? God deserves the best worship ever?

Be careful what you offer up to God. He will not be satisfied with less than what you are able to give. Respice finem.

Dr. Maria A. Seaman is the Pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre, located at 98 North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish CR 01.