Leviticus 26:1-46
Monday, 11 October 2021
“‘You are not to make yourselves any idols, erect a carved statue or a standing-stone, or place any carved stone anywhere in your land in order to bow down to it.” - Leviticus 26:1
In today’s reading we see God’s laws spoken to His people who He had delivered out of Egypt before they entered the promised land. It speaks about both the blessings of obedience and curses of disobedience. These commandments are once again given by Moses to the Israelites (Deut.27&28) just before their cross over to Canaan, but this time he is speaking to the children born in the wilderness. This generation had a deeper revelation of who God is, unlike the generation that left Egypt.
Just like the Israelites, we who have been redeemed from the powers of darkness and are called to walk in the light of His Word, are answerable to God for everything that we do while we are on this earth. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account of all things done in the body, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10).
God clearly knew where the danger lay for His people in the new land and warns them beforehand (as seen in the key verse) not to have any idols among them, lest their hearts be enslaved and led astray to bow before them, forgetting who redeemed them from their bondage. Likewise, Jesus knew that we tend to build up idols in our hearts- hence has warned us to stay away from idolatry by loving God with all our heart- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
How do we build up idols in our hearts?
Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts becomes an idol. Whatever we allow our mind to constantly dwell upon can become an idol. Whatever we give more importance than the Lord Jesus can also become an idol.
There can be negative strongholds that set themselves up in our hearts, so much that we lose focus of God:
Worry: This idol stops you from meditating on the mighty deeds of God to build our confidence in Him, so that we can step out in faith. Meditate God’s Word! “Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.” (Ps.119:24)
Fear: Fear is the opposite of faith and trust in God. Sometimes people hang on to their fears as a comfort over what can be controlled. Refusing to step out in faith to follow the Lord is an attempt to control one’s own life instead of allowing the Lord to be in control. Psalm 34:4 reminds us: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Unbelief: Hinders God from moving on our behalf. Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
Hatred and Bitterness: A consuming idol that will destroy us; an aftermath of anger. We need to let go. Ephesians 4:26, 27 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”
Things of the World: We become so focused on worldly things that we forget about our eternal abode. 1 John 2:15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Job / Work, Money, Fame, Position, Passions, Hobbies, Indulgence, Gluttony can all become idols in our lives if we don’t watch out. A Constant Check on our minds throughout the day can help pick up the idols of our lives and surrender them to the Lord!
Meditate on: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
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