Readings for today; 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12
Throughout the Bible, an important question is consistently raised. Who do I serve? Do I serve God or do I serve myself? Do I serve God or do I serve man? Adam and Eve faced this question in the Garden. Will I serve God or will I seek to become like Him? Joshua challenged the people of Israel with this question as they stood on the cusp of the Promised Land. Choose this day whom you will serve. Either the Lord or the gods beyond the River. The kings of Israel were consistently challenged by this question. Would they serve God or their own self-interest? Would they remain faithful to God or would they serve the gods of the nations around them? Tragically, they far too often chose the latter.
Today’s reading introduces an important concept. Something we need to know and understand about God. He is jealous. Jealous for His name. Jealous for His glory. Jealous for the worship He righteously demands and rightfully deserves. Unlike human jealousy which is often rooted in pride and power and the need to control others, God’s jealousy is righteous and good. It is grounded in His holiness. It is reflected in His unique and perfect character. God is god and there is no other. He will not share His throne with any other. Be they gods or human beings. So when Israel seeks to live like the other nations, worshipping the false gods of the other nations, refusing to give God the glory He is due; He gives them over to those nations so they will learn the foolishness of their ways. “Yet they will become his subjects, so they can experience how serving Me differs from serving the surrounding nations.” (2 Chronicles 12:8 NET) God refuses to honor a divided heart. He refuses to bless divided loyalties. He lays claim over every square inch of creation and every square inch of every human heart. He will not settle for anything less.
Who do you serve? It’s a question worth pondering in your own life. What drives you? What motivates you? What gets you up in the morning? What gives you nightmares and wakes you up at night? Is it the Lord? Is everything you say and do submitted to Him? Do you find yourself seeking Him? Longing to serve Him and honor Him with your life? Or is God more of an afterthought? Peripheral to the everyday pursuits of your life? We are what we worship. Who we worship is the most important thing about us. it shapes and forms and fashions us and ultimately determines the direction of our lives.
Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays