Monday

BIG IDEA: One of the enemy's top distractions is to convince us to build a DIY-god for ourselves.

Scripture: 1 Kings 16:25-26  

“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 the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols.”

Omri’s reign is a historical cautionary tale about how idolatry can easily seep into personal and national life. By following Jeroboam's path, Omri perpetuated sin and idolatry, leading Israel away from God. This passage exemplifies how turning away from God often begins with small compromises, gradually accumulating into a full-blown abandonment of His truth.

In our modern world, idolatry may not look like golden calves, but it is equally real through the idols of success, materialism, and personal ideology. These distractions can lead us to overlook God's sovereignty and make room for a version of faith that suits our desires rather than God's commands. The danger lies in becoming comfortable with these compromises, provoking the Lord as Omri did.

Faith in Jesus provides an anchor in the midst of cultural shifts and personal temptations. Jesus calls us to live counter-culturally, resisting the draw of idols by surrendering wholly to God. By focusing on Christ and the teachings of the Bible, we can stand firm in our faith and reject the alluring distractions the world offers.

ACTION STEP: Identify one idol that may have crept into your life and commit to removing it. Ask God for strength and clarity to focus on Him.

Prayer: 

Lord, help me to cast out idols that are tripping me up.  Help me to look to You, the Creator, above created things.  

Song of the Day: "The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Steven Curtis Chapman - The Great Adventure