- The people of Israel, God's chosen people, had a problem.
- It wasn't that they rejected God, it was just that they loved God "+" other gods.
- Baal was a fertility god who was believed to enable the earth to produce crops and people to produce children.
- So if the people felt that "YaHWaH", our God, was not giving them what they wanted then they would turn to Baal or another God to help meet that need.
- The problem was that God had instructed them in Exodus 20:3, "You must not have any other god but me."
- Not God "+"
- It should be God "Only"
- It can be easy for us to criticize the Israelites for worshipping a mythical God or a God made out of stone but how many times do we do similar things?
- How many times, when God does act as fast as we want, do we turn to what we think is best?
- When God doesn't do what we want when we want, we turn to what works best to deliver what we want.
- What have you put your trust in "plus" God.
- You can make yourself your own God.
- You can make friends or certain relationships a God.
- It could be money...
- It could be a doctor...
- It could be entertainment...
- It is whatever you love or trust or turn to first.
- Or it could be whatever you turn to "In Addition To" God.
- Examine your life
- Do a real Soul search...
- When things don't go as planned, what do you turn to?
- Do you go back to what is familiar?
- Do you stick with relying on God even when it's difficult or do you jump in and help Him out?
- "How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions?"
- How long will you jump or "go back and forth"
- In Matt. 22:37, Jesus says,, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
- If He has "All" then there is nothing left over
- There is no "Plan B"
- There is no, "If Gods way doesn't work out, then I will try my way"
- Matt. 6:33 says, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
- Above all else.
- Decide today that it will be "God plus, Nothing else"
- Even when the road gets difficult.
- Even when you don't understand His way.
- Even when you face adversity.
- Seek Him first.
- Don't waiver or go back and forth between two opinions.
- Trust in God and Him alone!
- Rely on Him...His way is best!
- Make the decision now!
- Have a great Monday!