+DEV+ Keep-Away Idols

Date: November 7, 2010 7:05 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Keep-Away Idols

Keep-Away Idols

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).
Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 12:25-33

After uniting ten tribes of Israel into the Northern Kingdom, Jeroboam forged a plan to keep them from returning to Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom to worship God in His temple. The temple, after all, was God's appointed place of worship. Quickly, Jeroboam set up golden calves in two Northern Kingdom cities, Bethel and Dan, and directed his subjects to worship them. The golden calves were "keep-away idols."

"Keep-away idols" are those things we let stand in the way of worshiping God as He has commanded us. They direct our attention elsewhere. One of the best ways I know to give due honor to the Lord is by respecting the Sabbath day. But our "keep-away idols" work hard against that! Sunday mornings seem to be the prime time for kids' sport practices and games, for leisurely hours at cafes, for catching up on chores at home, and of course for sleeping in.

Let's not keep God away, but draw near to Him instead.

Insight: A church's signboard announced: "If absence makes the heart grow fonder, some people must really love church." nder, some people must really love church."