Ever had one of those "haven't-I-heard-that-somewhere-else" moments? Likely we've all had plenty of them. Something stated another time and place is later repeated, and grabs our attention. And that's the point: repetition strongly reinforces. Our Father is a master of such.
"It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain And brings forth the wind from His storehouses." (Jeremiah 51.15-16)
If you looked back in Jeremiah 10.12-13, you would find the exact words. In fact, if you compared Jeremiah 10.14-15 with 51.17-18, you will find nearly identical words concerning idols. So, apparently God wants to reinforce through repetition these important truths. I'd suggest that the point of this repetition is this: make it a priority to know your Father best as you can, as a safeguard against abominable idol worship.
I've lately been reading a book about modern idols, and I'm discovering they are more pervasive than I realized. I don't have my household gods of wood or metal figures, but they exist in other forms. Like creature comforts. Technology. Ambition. Indifference. That which supplants my Father from His rightful place is an idol.
The best way to avoid worshipping at the wrong throne is to make sure to spend lots of time at the right one. In other words, make sure to spend plenty of time with the Father. That can best be done though scripture and prayer.
This may inflict some pain, but let's be honest: just how much time do we REALLY devote to our Father? Sure, we can say we're in a prayerful mood at work or school, or we pray commuting to and from work. But, how much time do we spend doing nothing else but reading His word and praying? Probably much less than we give ourselves credit for. Not that the entire measure is time spent alone with Him. I can devote an hour to prayer and sleep through most of it, or allow my mind to wander. Quantity is no guarantee of quality, but it is an important precursor.
Jesus said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6.21) Money is treasure, but so is time. Wherever i have invested time, money, and energy, my true devotion will be found there also. So, the question of the hour is: based on this criteria, where is my heart? Hopefully right where it ought to be. But, if not, this is the hour when an important readjustment can be made.
May our Father be pleased to see us as individuals truly devoted to Him.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain And brings forth the wind from His storehouses." (Jeremiah 51.15-16)
If you looked back in Jeremiah 10.12-13, you would find the exact words. In fact, if you compared Jeremiah 10.14-15 with 51.17-18, you will find nearly identical words concerning idols. So, apparently God wants to reinforce through repetition these important truths. I'd suggest that the point of this repetition is this: make it a priority to know your Father best as you can, as a safeguard against abominable idol worship.
I've lately been reading a book about modern idols, and I'm discovering they are more pervasive than I realized. I don't have my household gods of wood or metal figures, but they exist in other forms. Like creature comforts. Technology. Ambition. Indifference. That which supplants my Father from His rightful place is an idol.
The best way to avoid worshipping at the wrong throne is to make sure to spend lots of time at the right one. In other words, make sure to spend plenty of time with the Father. That can best be done though scripture and prayer.
This may inflict some pain, but let's be honest: just how much time do we REALLY devote to our Father? Sure, we can say we're in a prayerful mood at work or school, or we pray commuting to and from work. But, how much time do we spend doing nothing else but reading His word and praying? Probably much less than we give ourselves credit for. Not that the entire measure is time spent alone with Him. I can devote an hour to prayer and sleep through most of it, or allow my mind to wander. Quantity is no guarantee of quality, but it is an important precursor.
Jesus said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6.21) Money is treasure, but so is time. Wherever i have invested time, money, and energy, my true devotion will be found there also. So, the question of the hour is: based on this criteria, where is my heart? Hopefully right where it ought to be. But, if not, this is the hour when an important readjustment can be made.
May our Father be pleased to see us as individuals truly devoted to Him.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:15 AM
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