Following Idols

by

Jeremiah 2:5 Finding Fault

Crack in wall

This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.” Jeremiah 2:5 

It is easy for a person to find faults in another person. They can see directly at a person and watch closely seeing what is said and done and will usually find something wrong. No one lives in such a way as to have absolutely no faults of any sort.

When faults are found, it is common for many to walk away from that person or condemn that person. Or they will begin to talk bad about that person. People do not like to be around others with faults.

God asks the question of what fault was found in Him that would cause the people to reject Him and follow false idols.

Over time there have been many people who have openly walked away from God. The reasons can be many, though often it is because God did not answer some prayer of theirs. These prayers are often for healing for self or someone else.

Many people have become very angry with God because of some unanswered prayer, or rather a prayer not answered in the way that they felt it should have been answered. They begin to seek other ways to get their own way, rather than trust God’s way.

Acting in this way brings on the following of worthless idols. They begin to follow the ways of the world and the dead things of this world, rather than God. Sometimes they continue going to church to look good, yet, are not really following God in their heart.

Believers need to trust and follow God through everything at all times. When truthfully looked at, no one will ever find fault with God that is legitimate.

You may have times when you don’t understand God’s will in your life. You may not fully understand why God did not answer a prayer you had in the way you asked for it.

You have a choice in how you react. You can reject God and turn to the things of this world, or you can trust God and keep following Him.

Take some time and notice how much God loves you. Then notice how perfect He is in everything that He does.

God will never fail you in what is perfect and right for you. Trust Him and never go astray.

I pray today that you will know God’s perfect love for you; that you will understand God’s will for your life; that you will trust God’s will for you; and that you will not be led astray from God for any reason. 

by

1 Kings 16:26 Raising God’s Anger

Man pleasing God

He followed completely the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols. 1 Kings 16:26 

Getting someone angry is not very difficult to do. All one has to do is something that the person does not like. It is even easier with someone who is close to the person doing the offending. The closer a person is, the easier it is to get the person angry.

It takes a lot more to raise the anger of a stranger, than one who is close. The person is close expects to be treated correctly and with love. The stranger does not expect as much.

Omri had become king of Israel. In the process of becoming king, he led the people in sin against God. He continued all the sins of those before him and added to those sins. Doing this had raised God’s anger against the nation.

During the Old Testament times God had set up the covenant with Israel to be their God and for them to be His people. There was no major sacrifice to make this happen. Yet, the people chose to follow false gods and raise His anger.

Several thousand years later, God chose to send Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross for all people to make a way for them. Many have chosen to accept what Jesus did and follow Him. Yet, in the process of following Jesus, many have turned back to false idols. They have chosen to live in sin, rather than fully follow Jesus and live as He did.

Some live as though it is cheap grace and sin does not mean anything. Doing this does raise God’s anger against them. God may not strike immediately as He did in the Old Testament, but there will come a day of reckoning.

As a believer in Jesus, you need to strive to live for God at all times, in every way possible. Live as though your actions are what save you, but believe knowing that the death and resurrection of Jesus is what really saves you. Honor God by living for Him and obeying Him.

Do not turn back towards the idols and sin of this world, raising God’s anger against you. The worthless idols of this world will not save you, but Jesus will. Believe and follow Jesus, pleasing God.

I pray today that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will turn from all idols in this world; that you will follow God with all of your life; and that your life will not raise God’s anger against you. 

by

Judges 2:19 Following In Action, Not In Heart

People walking

But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshipping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. Judges 2:19 

It is very common for people to follow the rules when the boss or some authority is around. They feel the eyes of the authority on them and choose to follow all of the rules. This is often done, because they do not want to be punished for doing wrong.

Others will also jump on the band wagon of following the rules of the leader when everyone else is doing it. It is the thing to do, not necessarily what they really want to do.

However, most of those same people will change their ways as soon as the authority is out of sight. They will go back to the old ways of wrong ways of doing things.

God had began to raise up judges or leaders to lead the people. While the judge was living and things were going good, they would follow and obey God. As soon as the judge died, the people went back to their corrupt ways, even worse than before, worshipping and following false gods. Following God was not really the center of their heart.

People have not changed. Children in Christian homes often follow God while at home, but often fall away when they leave home. They follow God when under the eyes of their parents, but God is not a part of their heart.

Adults do the same. On Sunday many people follow God and serve Him, when under the eyes of other believers or the pastor. On Monday, they return to their old ways of sin, because the pastor cannot see them anymore. God is not really a part of their heart.

As a believer, God has to be a part of your heart’s desire. He needs to be the One you want more than anything, at any time, and for any cost.

When God is this much a part of your heart, you will not purposefully return to sinful ways. You will be seeking His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you to live for Him. You will make mistakes, but you will quickly return because of His great love and mercy.

Ask yourself today who or what is really your heart’s desire.

Is it God?

Or the things of this world?

I pray today that you will personally know God; that you will desire God with all of your heart; that you will follow God with all of your heart; and that God will strengthen and guide you in His ways.

by

Jeremiah 5:7 Why Should God Forgive You?

“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.” Jeremiah 5:7

Some of the people of Israel were crying out to God for forgiveness and mercy as He was pouring out punishment upon them. They were being overrun and put into captivity and exile because of all their sins. God asked the question as to why He should forgive them.

God then points out that the Israelites children had walked away from Him. They refused to follow Him and went after others gods. Just like a loving father, God had provided abundantly for all of their needs, yet they still walked away from Him. Now He questions why He should forgive them.

Things are no different today. There are people who have chosen to follow God, but after a time, chose to walk away from God’s ways. Some may not completely abandon God, but they choose a path that does not follow, nor honor God in any way. They choose to live in sin on purpose.

It is one thing to have never known God, live in sin and then ask for forgiveness. However, it is a completely different thing to commit to living for God, but then walk away from Him on purpose, then ask for forgiveness.

As a human, you may say that person does not deserve any forgiveness. God looks at that person with amazingly great love and compassion, and wants to forgive. God looked at you with that same love and compassion and wants to forgive you. His desire is that no one is lost or needs to be punished.

God does not enjoy punishing people, but His holiness requires it, if they refuse to follow Him.

No matter what you have done, or how you have hurt God, He is always right there waiting to forgive you. If you question His ability to forgive you, think about His love for you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. If He was willing to do that, He will be willing to forgive you, if you ask Him too, and turn from all your sins.

Will you change today and allow God to forgive you?

Or will you stay in your sins?

I pray today that you will know God’s great love and compassion for you; that you will turn from your sins; that you will allow God to forgive you; and that you will give God a reason to forgive you.