Verse of the day: Judges 10:6, Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him.
At least seven times we read that Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD; a reminder that when we sin, or live wickedly, we do it before a God who sees all things. Time after time we read that they worshipped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. However, we rarely stop and ask why they worshipped these gods. The Baals were worshipped as gods of weather and financial success. How often do we, as Christians, forsake corporate worship with other believers for days on the lake fishing or cookouts, when we can do those things on different days? Contrary to what we are told to do in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” I am not saying these are bad things to do, but when they become our priority and our gods, they become things that are wrong. We later complain that our children do not go to church service and choose other things over going to “church”, when all along we taught them that it was okay to make other things a priority. When we go after the things of this world, we clearly communicate, by our actions, that worldly success and financial success is far more important than spiritual success and growth in our relationship with Christ. Far too often, I hear parents blame the church for their children’s lack of interest in God or the things of God when they say, “I don’t understand it, they grew up in church.” My response, on many occasions has been, “I’m sorry, but they did not grow up in church; they grew up in your home.” The Ashtoreths were worshipped as gods of love, sex, and romance. Sadly, I see many Christians, self included, ruin aspects of their lives by involving themselves in relationship that are outright sexually sinful, and in complete opposition to God’s command not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). We chase after relationships that end up doing more harm than good, and we end up worshipping a person that we desire to be with, and put God on the “backburner”. We then turn to God when things go wrong, but only to pray that God will bring that person, who was no good for us in the first place, back into our lives. When that does not happen, we get bitter and claim that God does not want to see us happy. I say all this to keep things real. I see it far too often, time and time again. There is a very good reason God calls us not to be like the world, and come out from among them (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). Romans 12:2 tells us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” 1 John 2:15-17 also says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” I have had my share of bumps and bruises because of my days of chasing after the things of this world. My desire today is to never turn to those things again, as all they have brought are heartache and pain. However, God has also used them to teach me the value of keeping my eyes on Him and seeking Him first in all that I do. The things of this world will perish, and when we choose idolatry and sinful behavior and sinful lifestyles over righteous, holy, living and following Christ, we do it in the sight of the LORD. Let us therefore not envy the world or chase the things of this world that perish, when we have something far more valuable in Jesus Christ, eternal life and eternal reward.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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