Daily Devotional for Wednesday, August 5

Ahaz’s Sin

“And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones,” 2 Kings 16:17.
My family teases me relentlessly about my drawing skills, or lack thereof. In truth, I struggle to draw a proper stick figure. I have tried to improve over the years but finally came to terms with the fact that I am simply challenged in this area! When I was asked to help with the drawings for VBS one year, I quickly informed the ladies that drawing is not a gift I possess but I would come and help in any way I could. I was so happy to find out we were simply tracing lines from a transparency! As long as I carefully followed the pattern, the picture turned out great.
God has given His people a pattern to trace as well. It is the Word of God. King Ahaz knew the Scriptures. He knew God’s pattern for Temple worship, and yet, disregarded it completely. He removed the brazen altar and replaced it with another, patterned after a pagan altar of Damascus. He dismantled the brazen altar, changed it to his liking and offered sacrifices according to his own will. There was no reverence for God and the nation of Judah paid a heavy price.
We have a pattern for how to carry out worship and service in the Lord’s churches today. It is called the New Testament. We get ourselves in trouble when we go outside of the Word and trust in man’s methods of how to worship, serve and prosper in the Lord’s churches. Sadly, some have turned the house of God into a place to be entertained. This elevates man rather than Christ. May we have reverence for God’s house. It is the habitation of God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

REFLECTION
What pattern are you tracing with your life?

Darla Goodrum