S) "28 Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel. 29 However, as for the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin, from these Jehu did not depart, even the golden calves that were at Bethel and that were at Dan."
2 Kings 10:28-29 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 10
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 10
O) Jehu took the throne from Ahab, who was one of the worst kings. He killed all of Ahab's family, leaving no survivors for the evil king, just as the LORD proclaimed. Also, with cunning he was able to kill all of the worshipers and priests of Baal. As we read through the chapter, it's easy to suppose Jehu is setting things quite right in Israel, and there is a hopefulness about it. Despite the savagery, there seems to be a lot of justice happening. And then, the above verses remind us that dual worship is deceiving. This cost Jehu the throne. He was rewarded for executing justice for the LORD, but his duplicitous worship meant that his throne was not going to be established very long.
A) Jesus warned that a man cannot serve two masters. His warning was about worshiping God, but also worshiping wealth. Really, it doesn't matter what the second thing is. God is jealous for me, and He will not be satisfied with any fraction of my worship. He does not want some, or even most. He doesn't want 99.99999 percent. He wants all of it. If I am serving, worshiping God, in every way but... then it's not in every way. Thankfully, in Christ Jesus, there is grace that changes my idolatrous and spiritually adulterous heart. I don't want a partial reward from God for half-way doing well. And really, my reward is Jesus Himself. I don't partially want God. I don't want Him to hold back from His presence in my life. If I want Him all the way, though, then I must be completely devoted, completely faithful to Him.
P) Father, You are worth my complete devotion. I confess that I sometimes hold back from You, though. I foolishly think that I want things more than You, or experiences more than You, or just some fleshly desire, some sinful expression, more than You. It's easy for me to lose focus. But, when I spend time in Scripture, I remember that Your jealousy for me is not without merit. It is because You know what is best for me, that You want me to be completely enthralled with You. It is because You know what I can have in Christ Jesus, that You want my devotion. Thank You for that grace, Lord. Open my eyes and ears, to see it more clearly and to hear Your call. Let me lay down temporary desires, temporal desires, so that I can invest in our eternal relationship. Let me worship You alone, because You alone are worthy of my worship. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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