August 25th

Wrong Way Worship

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? Ezekiel 14:3

Do you worship idols?

No, seriously. Do you worship idols? Because I bet that if I poked around a bit, I might find some things in your heart that have begun to rival the place that rightfully belongs to Jesus.

I think a lot of times we think that idols are the statue, forgetting that the real idol is the thing inside the worshiper's heart that makes them bow down to a dead image. The image was never the god. It was only supposed to represent the real god in whom the worshiper trusted.

Whom do you trust today?

In the days of Ezekiel, the Lord spoke to him and said, All these people have set up idols in their hearts, trusting in them for their needs. Should I let them ask my opinion on things when their trust is in idols?

Think about it. It's kind of like asking God a question when you're not really listening for His answer. He says, Should I really pay attention to them when they're not paying attention to me?

What are you paying attention to today?

Worshiping God means that we give Him our whole attention, affection, and devotion. This doesn't mean we neglect our work or families, but it means that God is our first priority, and that His opinion on a matter trumps what anyone or anything else says.

We take our lifestyle of worship wherever we go, not in singing worship choruses in our cubicle, but by working hard because we represent Christ. We are the best employee because we want to honor God in our work. We are the best dads and moms because we want to honor God in our families. We are the best neighbors because we want to be God's witness to the lost. Worship means that our lives are not our own, that they belong to God.

Does your life belong to God and God alone?

Prayer Lord God,

My life needs to belong to You alone. Please help me to see anything in my heart that rivals You for my affection and attention. I choose to trust in You alone and follow You no matter what.

Amen