Swhw Bible Reading Plan: AprilSample

Top Takeaway from Lauren Diggs:

Is it possible to truly fear the Lord while also serving other idols? No. But is it possible to go through the motions appearing to live a life that fears the Lord while serving our man-made idols? Absolutely. 

And that’s precisely what we see the Israelites doing in 2 Kings 17. They were living life with zero regard for the Lord and His statutes. That is until they started to get some opposition (v. 25). They decided to send a priest to instruct the people how to fear the Lord, hoping to fix the problem. This only led to generation after generation living a life that appeared to fear God while clinging to their own idols.

“So these nations feared the Lord and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children’s children--as their fathers did, so they do to this day.” 2 Kings 17: 41

There was a time in my life where I appeared to be sold out for Jesus. I led worship at our church. My husband was a youth pastor. We discipled young people. We even welcomed one into our home and eventually adopted him. From the outside looking in, I was a God-fearing woman. 

Except I wasn’t. Not even close. I was going through the motions. I was saying all the right things. I was doing all the right things. But my heart was far from the Lord. I had put so many things--my man-made idols--ahead of Him. The list was long:

• Pretending to have a perfect marriage when behind closed doors, it was crumbling.
• Making sure I had the most well-behaved and Jesus-loving kids on the block so the truth of our family being one step away from falling apart wouldn’t be seen. 
• Racking up thousands of dollars in credit card debt to fill a huge void and keep up the appearance that I had it all together. 

These were some of the things I idolized and worshipped ahead of worshipping Jesus. I spent more time serving my agenda than I did serving the living God. I’m sure you can relate. Maybe yours aren’t as major. Or perhaps they are just as big, if not bigger. Can I just wrap some truth in love over you for a second?

We cannot fear the Lord and serve our agenda. We must fear the Lord and serve Him only. 

“And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.”’” Luke 4:8

So today, let’s tear down our man-made idols and serve God and God alone. That is the legacy I want to pass down from generation to generation. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always pursuing us even when we’re not pursuing You with our whole hearts. Forgive us for the times we worship other things instead of You. Help us to serve You and only You. Show us the idols in our lives so we can rip them down and raise our undivided worship to Your name. Let this be the legacy left for generations to come. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.