20-20 Blog

Today’s Bible Reading: Ezekiel 22, 23, 24; Revelation 9

Scripture Focus:

Ezekiel 22:3 Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. 4 You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made.

Revelation 9: 20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.

Observation:

Idols are made by people. Sometimes we make our own idols—a business empire we’ve built, a home we pour all our time into, a reputation; sometimes we worship idols made by others—television, books, music. The things we worship—and whatever we give all our time to is what we treasure or worship—can never be a substitute for the living God.

These verses from Ezekiel and Revelation show how difficult it is for us to give up our idols. Even when God tries to get our attention through disaster or discipline, we tend to hang on to our idols.

Application:

As a Christian, a member of God’s family, I am not exempt from crafting idols with my own hands. Anything that becomes more important than God, anything I “idolize” is paramount to idolatry. The Ten Commandments tell us, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

Prayer:

Father God, keep my heart loyal to you. May I see the things made by my hand for what they are and not place them above you.

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