The Story - Chapter 16 - 2 Kings 17

There is still much talk of idol worship in our assigned readings.  I believe we are called to visit this yet again and perhaps discover where we may also be using idol worship in place of the One True God.  Let's define idol first.

Idol (noun) somebody or something greatly admired or loved, often to excess; something that is worshiped as a god, e.g. s statue or carved image.

Now, let's look around and see what might be considered an idol in our lives.  Let's see first if there is anything that might keep us from praising and worshiping on Sunday morning.  Oh, there is that golf date; and then the opportunity for brunch with friends.  What about our quiet time in the morning, the time spent praying and reading from the Bible.  That's right, it is too early and I am so tired from golf.

Self-examination is not fun.  It is the time when we ask God to reveal our hearts; to open our minds to anything that might be a wedge in our walk with Him.  Personally, food is an idol for me.  I turn to pleasing my palate before go to God for comfort.  When bored, lonely, anxious, confused, I long for a dish of ice cream over pausing to pray for peace. Idols are everywhere we turn in this world.  We are faced with worthless idols constantly.

2 Kings 17:14-15 (NIV) 
^“But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do."  

The Good News is God is everywhere, and His arms are open wide, beckoning us to run to Him. The peace and joy waiting in His loving arms is sweeter than any dish of ice cream, or golf game or _____(insert your idol).

Read 2 Kings 17 here

Listen to 2 Kings 17 here