Today’s Reading Deuteronomy 11-13
Focal Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:3 “Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn their Asherah poles, cut down the carved images of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.”
Moses knows the heart of the people he is currently serving and with. After forty years not much has been hidden from him and the leadership. He has witnessed every type of evil, sin and act of disobedience. Rebellion and idol worship have run rampant amongst the people.
So Moses comes up with a solution for the people. He tells them that when they come across anything that can be considered an idol, is a false god, or attempts to turn their hearts away from God they are to completely destroy the altar. Not just that they are to get rid of even the names of these gods. It is passionate belief. It is a passionate understanding of how God is not like everyone else that gets worshipped. Being halfway in does not cut it when it comes to worship.
The application for this today is profound. Believers today need to take a hard look at the idols that penetrate our lives, minds and hearts. The children of Israel show us what happens when idols are entertained. How quick things can go from bad to worse. It all starts with idols and the hold it takes on the individual or the group.
So now the question arises. What is an idol in your life that you currently have? What are your worshipping? What is getting your best? These questions will lead you to your idol. Maybe it is your job, the church you attend, your family or anything else that keeps you from having Jesus as your top priority.
When we acknowledge that we have an idol we must be passionate about removing it as an idol. I want to be clear here that their are some things we have that we do not need to destroy. For instance, if your kids have become your idol, you do not need to get rid of them to prove your devotion to Christ. However, you do need to show your children that even though you love them deeply you love Christ more. We must be passionate about Christ.
On the flip side if you know that you have an idol that needs to be destroyed you need to do that today. Maybe you are dabbling in witchcraft or other false religions. That must be dealt with today and you must destroy those altars. Do everything you can to blot out that problem from your life.
Be a passionate follower of Christ and get rid of idols. The world needs more committed followers of Christ not less.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Deuteronomy 14-16
