“Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.” – 2 Chronicles 24:18–19
Every Sunday, millions of people across America get up, get dressed, and head to church. Some go because it feels like the “right thing” to do. Others go because it’s tradition—something they’ve always done. And still others go because it makes them feel righteous, as if attending checks off a spiritual box for the week. But is that why God calls us to gather? In reality, we should come with anticipation—ready to hear from the Lord, ready to worship, ready to be changed. The bigger question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are listening.
Israel struggled with the same problem. In the days of Joash, the people abandoned the house of God and turned to idols. Yet even then, God sent prophets to call them back. He warned them, pleaded with them, and pointed them toward repentance—but they “would not listen.” Their hearts were present in the temple, but their ears were closed to the voice of God. The same danger exists today. Many sit in church physically but are spiritually checked out—counting minutes, scrolling mentally through their plans, waiting for the service to end. When our hearts are distracted or hardened, even the clearest message from God can fall on deaf ears.
As you prepare for church today, you’ll likely take time to make yourself presentable on the outside. But what about the inside? The heart is the part God cares about most. Go to church with intention—with a heart ready to hear, ready to worship, ready to obey. Don’t walk in casually and walk out unchanged. Come expecting to meet with the living God, and leave different than when you arrived.
Before you step into church today, pause and prepare your heart. Ask the Lord to soften your spirit, open your ears, and remove distractions. Go not out of habit, but out of hunger. Go not to be seen, but to see Him. Listen for His voice—and when He speaks, respond.
“The great mistake made by most of the Lord’s people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which can only be found in Christ.” — A.W. Pink
surrendered devotions 