Devoted
to Idols
I gave them my Sabbaths…their hearts
were devoted to their idols.
Ezekiel 20:12, 16
As Kenny read the passage from Ezekiel,
memories from forty years ago came flooding back: Twelve-year-old
Kenny had the sensation of being watched as he nonchalantly walked
out of sight of his house. Once he was sure his parents could no
longer see him, he trotted the half mile to the ball field. It was
almost 2:00 o’clock. He was late!
He was greeted by jeers from his
friends, “Where you been, Tanner? Mommy wouldn’t let you come out
to play?”
“Shut up! I’m here now! Let’s
play!” came Kenny’s embarrassed response.
Kenny’s parents forbid him to play
sports on Sunday, saying, “Sunday is the Lord’s day. We honor God
by resting from the need to accomplish things by working or pursuing
our own pleasures.” How was he supposed to explain it to his
friends when he didn’t understand it himself? How could having fun
on Sunday be a bad thing?
Back in the present, Kenny smiled as he
realized he now understood his parent’s reasoning for entering
God’s rest.
†
We have quietly, yet steadily removed
rest from the Sabbath. There’s just not enough time for us to
sacrifice a day of work…or pleasure. ‘God really doesn’t expect
us to do nothing for a whole day…does He?!’ we rationalize. Yet,
God’s command has never changed—only our perception of it.
One day a week God invites us to put
aside those things we strive to accomplish during the other six. In
His invitation we’re meant to find rest for our soul; a day of
reflection and restoration. During this down-time He is able to show
us which things are important, and which are not. In truth, we can
accomplish more by resting on the Sabbath day, allowing Him to
prepare us for the next six.
Today’s scripture is controversial.
We reject the notion that we are too busy, or devoted to idols. But
ask yourself, “What do I do on the Sabbath that I would have
trouble giving up?”
God can’t restore us spiritually if
we fail to respond to His invitation.
Prayer
“LORD, in today’s
fast-paced world I have trouble slowing down. Show me what I covet
above our relationship, and help me surrender it to You. Amen.”
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