Are Your Idols Showing?

Idols are not just statues of false gods, but can include work, family, and other things.   ~~~   1 Samuel 7:3 “If you are returning to the Lord…direct your heart to the Lord…” This word “direct your heart…” is a little lightweight in its translation in my opinion. The idea behind the Hebrew word is “Establish” or “FIX” your heart (mind, will, emotions) to the LORD. So repentance, the turning away from sin and idolatry, is a spiritual, mental, physical decision AND action. In the New Testament Jesus tells the story of a man who threw a great banquet and invited many people. He told them well in advance about the banquet. And when everything was set up and perfect, he called for all the guests to come. But “they all alike began to make excuses.” Or to put it another way, their idolatries were showing. The first person said, “I just bought a field and I need to go see it.” Another person said, I just bought some oxen and I need to tend to them. Another person said, “I just got married, so I cannot come.” The idol of work, the idol of stuff, the idol of family. Their hearts were not established. Brothers and sisters, put away your idols. Burn them down. Establish your hearts in the LORD. And do this Day by Day.