Daily Devotional for Saturday, July 18

Israel’s Sin with Pagan Gods

“Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me,” Hosea 13:4, 6.
Recognizing the matchless grace of God in our lives is essential to our growth in Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter ended his second letter with the admonition, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Grace is the undeserved favor of our loving Lord. We see His grace clearly in the gift of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. But do you realize His grace is at work in every facet of your life, every day? All we have is by the grace of God. We do not deserve the blessings He pours out in our lives. Even the difficult situations are allowed because of God’s grace, as they serve to strengthen us in our faith.
The people of Israel had forgotten the Lord that delivered them and brought them through so much. God’s people did not acknowledge His blessings, and they became unthankful and puffed up. They turned to the ways of the heathen nations around them and the worship of Baal. It is difficult to imagine the people of Israel sinking so deep into pagan worship that they would sacrifice their own children to the fires of Molech. This is what happens when the living God is replaced with the gods of this world.
Many professed Christians today have forgotten the goodness of God and have become unthankful. They have turned away from the Savior that delivered them and are seeking worldly pleasures. This too, is idolatry. Stay humble before the Lord your God and remember His goodness in your life. His grace truly is amazing.

REFLECTION
Remember to count your blessings! Take time each day to thank the Lord for His amazing grace.

Darla Goodrum