Friday: Day 5: The Cost of Idolatry

BIG IDEA:  “Moving On” from God is hell (in this life and the next). Moving on with God touches heaven.

Scripture: 1 Kings 16:25-28 (ESV)

"Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sins which he made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son reigned in his place."

Omri’s reign is marked by a significant escalation in sinfulness, surpassing his predecessors in evil deeds and idolatry. His leadership provokes God’s anger, revealing the grave consequences of leading a nation deeper into spiritual rebellion. Omri’s story illustrates the insidious nature of idolatry and its capacity to compound over generations.

Idolatry under Omri becomes a national downfall, demonstrating how societal drift from God encapsulates comprehensive moral decay. This passage urges deep reflection on personal and communal idols—anything that takes precedence over God. Omri’s example serves as a stark warning against the spiritual and communal erosion following the abandonment of God’s commands.

The enduring reign of Ahab, Omri’s successor, foreshadows a continuation of this disobedience. Yet, even in narratives of darkness, the text acknowledges God’s unrelenting presence and His readiness to restore those who return to Him. Omri’s leadership, contrasted with this possibility of redemption, emphasizes the significance of realigning with God.

Action Step: Assess your life for any "idols" that might distract you from your devotion to God. Consider practices or habits that need to change to prioritize God more fully.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart from idolatry and draw me closer to You. Teach me to see distractions that pull me away from Your presence and strengthen my resolve to follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Song of the Day: "Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman

Heart of Worship - Brandon Lake