Date: 07-18-2020

Title: Split Loyalties

(S) cripture:
    2 Kings 17:33-34 (NASB) 33 They feared the LORD and served their own gods according to the custom of the nations from among whom they had been carried away into exile. 34 To this day they do according to the earlier customs: they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances or the law, or the commandments which the LORD commanded the sons of Jacob, whom He named Israel;

    2 Kings 17:40-41 (NASB) 40 However, they did not listen, but they did according to their earlier custom. 41 So while these nations feared the LORD, they also served their idols; their children likewise and their grandchildren, as their fathers did, so they do to this day.

(O) bservation:
    The Israelites ignored God’s command to follow and worship Him alone. They tried to both worship God and the gods of the people around them. This brought God’s anger and punishment. The result was a heart calloused to God and mimicked by their children and grandchildren. The example of disobedience they set was followed by the generations that followed.

(A) pplication:
    This is a sobering passage. I wonder what other “idols” I try to worship along with the Lord. I may not have shrines built for them, but I wonder. What about golf and TV and my image in the community. These quickly come to mind when I think of things that occupy my time. After all, don’t you give your time to the things you hold dear and “worship”? Today I will work on my priorities and put all those other things in their proper place somewhere down the list from my relationship with the Lord. Those things are not evil in themselves but when I give them a place of priority in my live over my relationship with the Lord, they become evil for me. The scary thing is that others, especially my children and grandchildren might follow my example. I want to set the example of following the Lord alone for them to follow.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, keep me focused on you. Help me to keep these other things in their proper place. Amen