A Faith That Looks Alive but Isn’t

Week 1 Focus, Why is trust even an issue?

God confronts worship that keeps going through the motions while the heart stays unchanged. He calls His people to stop performing and start turning back, “Learn to do good… Seek justice…” Isaiah 1:17.

“Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.” James 1:22

Break It Down

In Isaiah 1, God is speaking to a people who are still attending the gatherings, still bringing offerings, still saying the right words, but their lives are disconnected from His heart.

Their “worship” has become noise, because their trust has shifted. They’re relying on religion to cover what only repentance and relationship can heal.

Trust Question

Who are you trusting here, and why, God, or the comfort of looking faithful?

God’s Intention

God is not rejecting worship, He is rejecting empty worship. His intention is always relationship that transforms. He wants hearts that are responsive, lives that are aligned, and faith that becomes visible in mercy, justice, humility, and obedience. Trust isn’t proved by what we attend, it’s revealed by what we follow.

Weave It In

A new year can tempt us to grab quick confidence, routines, resolutions, even spiritual habits, to feel “covered.”

But Isaiah exposes a deeper issue, it’s possible to be busy with spiritual activity while still trusting ourselves, our image, or our control.

Today is not about guilt, but it is an invitation. God is calling you back to what is real, a faith that listens, yields to Him, and walks daily with Him.

Practice for Today

Do one quiet act of obedience that costs you something small. Choose one:

• Ask God, “What am I relying on instead of You?” and write down the first honest answer.

• Take one repairing step, apologise, reconcile, tell the truth, give generously, serve someone unseen.

• Pray Isaiah 1:17 into your day, “Lord, teach me to be led of you to do the good you would have me to do, show me what You see.”

Let it be simple, but keep it real. Let it be trust.

Prayer

Father, I don’t want a faith that only looks alive. I want a faith that is alive. Search me and show me where I’ve been relying on appearances, routine, or control instead of trusting You.

Bring me back to a soft heart and willing obedience. Teach me to do good, to love what You love, and to walk with You today.

In Jesus’ name, amen.