LOVE, BUT DON'T IDOLIZE!
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of His robe filled the Temple.
Isaiah 6:1 (NLT)
I have heard it said that an idol is making a good thing an ultimate thing. Most things that move our hearts away from God are good things placed in the wrong position. Throughout the years, people have made spouses, kids, pastors, leaders or celebrities into idols. Idols give us a sense of hope for the future; they also secure our identity. The problem is that no idol can fulfill all that.
In the verse above, the people had made Uzziah an idol. He was a king who secured peace, led the people to prosperity, and was beloved by his people. The problem is people were putting their trust in this king and not the King of Kings. Notice what happens: when the king dies, all of the sudden, Isaiah sees God. Oftentimes, God will take away the things that we put too much trust in. He wants us to trust in Him fully. He must kill the idols of our hearts so that He can live and reign freely in our lives. Don't idolize your spouse, pastor, leader or kid. The problem is most people aren't aware they do this. We think if I had this spouse, if I was married, or if my spouse was different, then things would be great. Nothing will be great in life if Jesus isn't the center of your heart. Sometimes spiritually, we depend on others so much we can elevate them above God Himself, not intentionally, but we listen and look to them more than we do Jesus. We should love those around us but make sure we don't idolize them. Don't take a good thing and make it an ultimate thing. God is the only one who can fulfill and reign over our hearts.
APPLICATION: Don't let a good thing become an ultimate thing today.
PRAYER: Ask God to help you keep Him at the center of your life! Ask for power to believe the truth: if you have Jesus, you have everything. Ask the Spirit to reveal if anyone's voice has become louder or more important than God's.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?