PIOUS
Today's reading: Isaiah 58-60

"Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to hear my laws. You would almost think this was a righteous nation that would never abandon its God. They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf." Isaiah 58:2 NLT

Pious-marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship; marked by conspicuous religiosity; showing loyal reverence for a person or thing.

Yes, this portion of Scripture refers to the nation of Israel. God's chosen ones. The Holy Land. But couldn't it also, based upon news reports, history of events and media coverage, be the United States?

Conspicuous religiosity.

There is a majority of American citizens striving to be godly people.

(A larger majority than the media touts there to be.)

There is also a remnant of folks who act piously.

The act like they should when the cameras are on.

They go through the motions when the tape is running.

They loudly state their values before elections.

They walk into their churches on special occasions, like they are regular attenders.

'They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf.'

But what about their hearts?

Wait a minute, what about our own hearts?