S) "27 [They] say to a tree, 'You are my father,'
And to a stone, 'You gave me birth.'
For they have turned their back to Me,
And not their face;
But in the time of their trouble they will say,
'Arise and save us.'
28 But where are your gods
Which you made for yourself?
Let them arise, if they can save you
In the time of your trouble;
For according to the number of your cities
Are your gods, O Judah."
Jeremiah 2:27-28 (NASB)
O) The LORD was speaking of the house of Israel in this passage, and from the beginning He used Jeremiah to foretell of their impending doom. They had become quite idolatrous, seeming to have a different god for every city. Jeremiah would prophesy through Judah's exile, so in the above passage, when God told him, "their time of trouble," He wasn't being hypothetical. Despite their worship of false-gods, when real trouble hit them, they would realize their folly, but it would be too late.
A) It would be obvious to anyone who knows me, that I have never created an idol, or said to a stone, "You gave me birth." However, there have been plenty of times that I have set up idols in my heart. There have been plenty of times that I have said (with my actions), "Food gives me comfort." or, "Money gives me peace." or "Videogames give me fulfillment." Those statements are not much different than what the house of Israel was doing to the LORD in turning their backs to Him. Just like them, when real struggles come, I turn back to the LORD, my true God, and ask Him for salvation. I don't think there is anything wrong with enjoying food, having money, or playing videogames, but when I am treating them as a source instead of a tool, then I have crossed a line into idolizing them in my heart. Thankfully, I am redeemed by Jesus Christ. Through the work of the Holy Spirit within me, I am being changed day by day. My Father in heaven is disciplining me, painful as it may be sometimes, to glorify Him more and more with my life. I must submit myself to His purging work, to tear down the idols in my heart. If I do not, then I will get carried away in my idolatry, and when calamity comes, no food will comfort enough, no amount of money will deliver me, and videogames will be utterly useless.
P) Father, You are my Creator. You are the only true God. You are my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer. You deserve my devotion, my attention, my honor, my glory. I confess that I am still prone to idolizing in my heart, looking for the creation instead of the Creator. I repent, Lord GOD, and I thank You for the forgiveness I receive. Please continue to discipline me, as a loved son, so that my life glorifies You in good times and bad. Whether I have clear skies or storms, famine or feast, help me to seek You first, and glorify You alone. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment