Monday, September 28

The passage in 2 Kings disturbed me today. I couldn't help but to see parallels in my life to this. The author made the statement that God's people practiced fear of the Lord and practiced the worship of idols. They worshipped the gods of their culture while fearing the Lord. The author here makes it evident that the two cannot co-exist together. Fear of the Lord means a rejection of culture's gods. Fear of the Lord means following his statutes and commands; finding right what God defines as right, finding beautiful what God defines as beautiful, finding true what God defines as true. I have tried to keep this same relationship going in my life: fearing God and culture's gods. Like Paul says in Philippians, I have gotten comfortable with the god of my belly as I am surrounded by people who follow the same god. I feel like lately I have sacrificed purity of mind, heart, and actions for the sake of cultural relevancy, at least that is what I tell myself. Really though, I am following the god of my belly while trying to fear the Lord. These two cannot co-exist.

Father forgive me for following culture's gods. Be patient with me and do not turn away from me. I am frail and my will is weak. Remain with me based upon the faithfulness of your Son, Jesus. He is the only way that you are able to deal with me like you have. Thank you. Please do not let me mistake your loving patience for blessing over my actions. I want your kindness to lead me to repentance and not your harsh discipline (which I admit I deserve daily).