SINGING GOD’S PRAISE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OBEDIENCE

 You shall recover that which was lost in sevenfold because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good-Life Devotional; 

SINGING GOD’S PRAISE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OBEDIENCE

Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

    Singing praises to God is a beautiful act of worship, but it cannot replace a life of obedience. Psalm 78 recounts the history of Israel’s disobedience despite God’s constant faithfulness. Verse 36-37 (AMP) says, “But they flattered Him with their mouths and lied to Him with their tongues. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant.” Though they may have spoken or sung words of devotion, their hearts were far from God.

    True worship goes beyond lip service—it demands a surrendered life. In 1 Samuel 15:22, the prophet Samuel tells Saul, “Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” This emphasizes that rituals or outward expressions, no matter how sincere they may appear, are empty without obedience.

    Jesus reinforced this truth in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you?” Singing praises while ignoring God’s commands is a form of hypocrisy. God desires hearts that not only sing but also submit.

    James 1:22 instructs believers to “be doers of the word, and not merely listeners [or singers] who delude themselves.” Our praise must be backed by action—living in alignment with God’s will.

    Nigeria boasts of some of the finest worshippers but is bedeviled with a culture of corruption because of the activities of false prophets who teach that praise worship causes God to overlook a person's sin. Repentance is a must for prosperity as a nation (see. Prov 28;13 ) Sin results in multidimensional hardship emotionally, spiritually and physically. 

 Worship in song must be matched by worship in lifestyle. Obedience is the melody that gives our praise harmony before God.

In our daily prayers we should seek a healthy appetite for God's word and a fully repentant heart.

PRAYER; Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to live in righteousness.

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