Friday, August 31, 2012

2 Kings 17:14–18

"But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the LORD their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the LORD's command not to imitate them.

       They rejected all the commands of the LORD their God and made two calves from metal. They set up an Asherah pole and worshiped Baal and all the forces of heaven. They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire. They consulted fortune-tellers and practiced sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the LORD's anger.

       Because the LORD was very angry with Israel, he swept them away from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained in the land."

 

Idolatry is a pervasive and devastating sin. What you worship is what you become. God tried everything he could to get his people to love and obey him so he could fulfill his wonderful plan. But his people continually refused to listen. They turned from him again and again, and eventually God had to judge them and let them reap the fruit of their heart and actions. It may take time, but we always reap what we sow. Are you sowing in the soil of truth, love, obedience, and faith in the one true God.


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Psalm 138:8

"The LORD will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
      Don't abandon me, for you made me."

 

Do you ever feel as if God has abandoned you? David seems to have felt that way here. Yet despite his feelings, he asserts his confidence that because God made him in the first place, God has plans for his life that he will work out in accordance with his faithful love. Especially in times of stress or doubt, these truths can sustain us and turn our doubts away.