Daily Devotional for Wednesday, August 26

Israel’s Punishment for Unjust Dealings

“For the statues of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing; therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people,” Micah 6:16.
When my son was a young toddler, he was infatuated with Barney the Dinosaur. We took him to see Barney live when he was only three years old, and he was in awe of the big purple dinosaur and his friends dancing around on stage. He literally had tears in his eyes! While it was cute, I began introducing new things to break his fixation. It was getting a bit unhealthy. It is not so cute when teenagers and young adults idolize singers and celebrities. Young people can easily become fixated on popular stars and follow them religiously on social media. They listen to their music, dress like them, act like them and take their advice daily. This is the definition of worship.
The truth is we become like what we worship. Concerning graven images the psalmist writes, “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them” (Psalm 115:8). Israel had continued with Baal worship and the wickedness of Omri and Ahab before them. They were violent, oppressive and unjust in their dealings. God clearly stated He would not bless the work of their hands, nor would they be satisfied with anything life has to offer (Micah 6:14, 15). Ultimately, they would be destroyed.
Idolatry will bring destruction to God’s people today as well. Who or what do you worship? Do you model your life after people of the world? Then you will become like the world. To worship Christ, you must model your life after Him and pursue Him fully. Be immersed in Jesus. Follow Him, talk like Him, act like Him and receive His counsel daily. Then you will become like Him.

REFLECTION
Who do others see when they look at you?

Darla Goodrum