A consistent trait of the Israelites was their tendency to turn away from God. Over hundreds of years there was a to-and-fro between who they worship was directed to or who they placed as sovereign in their lives. Good kings would come, restore the temple and worship, and then the proceeding king would take reign and idolatry would be the norm again.
I read the words of this journey in my bible and in myself feel frustrated with the Israelites and start to think prideful thoughts- "I would never do that! Turn away from God, no way! I am following Jesus to the end!"
However, the more I reflect and examine my heart, I see a trend as well. I see that I can choose to turn my heart away from God when it suits me. When I am confronted with different choices and situation in life and chose not to listen to Holy Spirits promptings, I turn my heart away from God's way to my way.
It can be subtle but disobedience and self-idolatry can make its way into our hearts.
2 Chronicles 29 reads about Hezekiah purifying the temple. At 25 he restored the temple of God to what it was intended for- Worship. But it wasn't just the temple that was restored, the people of God were restored to their true God.
We need to place God as sovereign in our lives through simple acts of obedience. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit- where God, through Jesus Christ, dwells when we become believers. By positioning our hearts daily towards God and choosing to listen to the Spirit's promptings, we become more Christ- like and build upon our expression of worship and adoration to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10 NIV
"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
Matthew 12:34 NIV
-Sandra Iliev
I read the words of this journey in my bible and in myself feel frustrated with the Israelites and start to think prideful thoughts- "I would never do that! Turn away from God, no way! I am following Jesus to the end!"
However, the more I reflect and examine my heart, I see a trend as well. I see that I can choose to turn my heart away from God when it suits me. When I am confronted with different choices and situation in life and chose not to listen to Holy Spirits promptings, I turn my heart away from God's way to my way.
It can be subtle but disobedience and self-idolatry can make its way into our hearts.
2 Chronicles 29 reads about Hezekiah purifying the temple. At 25 he restored the temple of God to what it was intended for- Worship. But it wasn't just the temple that was restored, the people of God were restored to their true God.
We need to place God as sovereign in our lives through simple acts of obedience. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit- where God, through Jesus Christ, dwells when we become believers. By positioning our hearts daily towards God and choosing to listen to the Spirit's promptings, we become more Christ- like and build upon our expression of worship and adoration to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10 NIV
"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
Matthew 12:34 NIV
-Sandra Iliev
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