Devotionals

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Scripture to reflect upon: Hosea 9:10 (end of verse)
“But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.”

This scripture features words that put the fear of God in me: consecrated, shameful and vile…and then loved?

In verse 15, God says: “Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Because of their sinful deeds…” What amazes me is God says, “hate” in this verse. He hated them being there, and hated what they were doing to themselves. He hated that His chosen people loved a “calf-idol” instead of the Living God! He hated that they chose to become violated and corrupt.

God said they became as vile as their idol. That idol was dead. That idol was nothing. That idol was shameful. And God said they loved it so much that they became just like it. Are you in a place that God hates? Did you stray off the chosen path only to find yourself bowing down to a calf-idol of sorts?

In chapter 8:4 (end) God said, “They make idols for themselves to their own destruction.” What idol do you carry in your life that is destroying you today? What brings you down? What makes you feel miserable? Have you made it your idol and pushed God aside so you can worship it?

God hates when we stray. He hates when we give our love to something else; something unworthy of our love and attention.

There is an idol in my life. Although this idol demands me to bow down to it, I have to fight almost every minute of the day to refuse doing so. The idols we choose become our destruction. It is vile. It is shameful. And it takes us to places that displease God.

NOTE TO SELF: What is it that you love so much that you are becoming? Cast out your idols today! God is so merciful: “My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger…For I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath” (Hosea 11:8-9).

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