And though they worshiped the Lord, they continued to follow their own gods according to the religious customs of the nations from which they came. And this is still going on today…— 2 Kings 17:33-34 (NLT)
Is it possible to worship and fear God and at the same time serve other gods or idols? Do we pay outward deference to God by engaging in “Christian” acts while knowingly or unknowingly prostrating before other shrines and altars?
So, let’s ask ourselves the question; what idols are we consciously or unconsciously serving and bowing down to? What are you obsessed with? Is it your career, a desire to be rich and successful, your looks, diet and fitness regime, social media, sensual things, spouse, politics, and so on? What is your obsession?
In the book of Numbers, God commanded Moses and Aaron to take a census of the children of Israel of fighting age. The placement of the tribes in the encampment was such that the tabernacle of meeting was right in the middle or centre of the encampment with the tribe’s tents surrounding it.
There is a spiritual lesson with this encampment set up and arrangement. I believe God intends that He will be the central focus of the people. By strategically placing the tabernacle of meeting in the centre of the camp, the people’s attention, focus and thought should be on the LORD. There is no divided attention and no distraction.
When God’s covenant was being renewed with the Israelites, Joshua challenged the people saying, “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT)
Jesus, when teaching about money and possession said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 (NKJV)
We live in a world that is very challenging to live in as Christians. With so many distractions and competing powers and forces, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us stay the course.
It is possible to be God-fearing yet become worshippers of things we’re obsessed with. We need to strive to make God the centre of our focus, attention and dedication. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome or avoid letting other things consume our thoughts and time.
Spurgeon prayed: “Let me be right and let there be no mistake about it; but do not let me try to be both right and wrong, washed and filthy, white and black, a child of God and a child of Satan.”
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 