King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Thursday,
August 13, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah
10-13
Message
Title: Put
Away The Idols

Hello
My Friend,

Idols, man made objects of worship. Everyone
has some kind of object that they hold on to as a type of security
blanket, but rarely do we think f them as idols. Now, there is no
power or magic to these things, but if we are not careful we can
become dependent upon them. Since God is a jealous God, He will not
compete with anything, including objects we look to for comfort. God
has all the power to help us through any situation, we must look to
Him for help. “There hath no temptation taken
you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” - 1
Corinthians 10:13,14.

Old time idols were statues or
pictures carved out of wood, usually of a man, animal, or something
in that combination, many were overlaid with precious metals such as
silver or gold. Through Jeremiah, God tells His people to stay away
from idol worshipers and their idols. “Hear
ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus
saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed
at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the
customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the
forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck
it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with
hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but
speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not
afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them
to do good.” - Jeremiah 10:1-5.

Do you know how
many people take these verses out of context? They literally
associate this with the Christmas tree. We must look at the bigger
picture here, what is being worshiped, it was a tree cut out of the
forest. Then the workman or creator of the idol would carve it, work
it into shape, and afterwards overlay it with silver and gold to
cover the wood. To keep it upright and in its place they would fasten
it down with nails so that it would not fall, be thrown down, or
stolen. Today, idols are made out of anything, even trees. Ever hear
of environmentalists? See the key word in the word, mental? It's in
the mind, again, objects have no power, it is the devil who gives
power to these things through our minds because he would do anything
to get our focus off God, in particular Jesus Christ. “The
cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood
of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the
body of Christ? Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of
devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table
of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than
he?” - 1 Corinthians 10:16,21,22.

Now, the
people of Judah and Jerusalem are in hot water for doing the same
thing, even the priests had their idols too. Through Jeremiah, God
reminds them of the covenant He made with their fathers and the
judgment they face for worshiping idols
instead of Him. “And
the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah,
and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the
iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and
they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the
house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their
fathers. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil
upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they
shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Then shall the
cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the
gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at
all in the time of their trouble.” - Jeremiah 11:9-12.

It
is one thing to just not be knowledgeable about the things of God
because we all grow at different levels of our Christianity, it is
another to create an image of Him based on our own liking, never
having any desire to even know the truth. Remember, ignorance is not
a defense, if you were to run a red light not knowing it was red or
that you had to stop that still does not stop you from getting hit by
oncoming traffic. We must learn all of God, not just that He loves us
and has mercy on us, but that He is a just God, who will not put up
with us worshiping a type of god and portraying it as Him. “But
if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning
therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice
unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that
there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called
gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and
lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are
all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we by him.” - 1 Corinthians 8:3-6.

A
god is also known as someone in high authority, many people will
flock to a person and worship them over God. God's
anger is not toward the unbelievers here, but toward the ones who
know He is the only God, yet choose a false god. Jeremiah is
distraught and truly cannot comprehend why there were so many of his
people ignoring God. “Righteous art
thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of
thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper?
wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Thus saith
the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance
which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck
them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among
them. And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I
will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again,
every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall
come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to
swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear
by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if
they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation,
saith the LORD.” - Jeremiah 12:1,14-17.

Why do
those who have walked away from God prosper? They have their reward.
God is saying that He will not forget those
who remain faithful to Him. Yeah, we might have to go through some
suffering by those who are trying to corrupt us, but in the end we
will be safe with Jesus. There is also a
prophecy here, when Jesus returns all of God's people will return to
Jerusalem. God places the wicked among the good so that they can see
that what they need is God, but if they never learn, He will take
them away. A strong Christian will, in the midst of suffering, remain
faithful to God, knowing that he has a wonderful inheritance awaiting
him. “And
whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
- Colossians 3:23,24.

Today's
Prayer: God, Help me to remain faithful to You and your
calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search
Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go
through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You
fix my eyes and my heart upon You. Search me, Lord and if there is
any evil in me help me to break free from the bondage of it and use
my talents for Your glory. Let me not get caught up in idols that
complete with You, only look to You for help in every area of my
life. I ask this in Your name Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You,
I am praying for you,
Christina

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