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Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Not Settling for False Fixes

As I review Jonah 2:8 this morning I read,  All who worship worthless idols turn from the God who offers them mercy.” (CEV)

Those who worship false gods and worthless idols forfeit God's grace and abandon any hope for mercy from the Lord. Any object of my devotion that replaces God is a lying vanity. I end up deceiving myself with something that is ultimately empty and foolish. I need to make sure that nothing takes God's rightful place in my life.

When in trouble, I’m often tempted to find some sort of quick fix, or at least something that will relieve my stress.

When things are falling apart, I can often try everything imaginable to solve the problem. Everything, that is, except asking God for help. I need to reject any attempts at a false fix, and instead turn to God for help.

Jonah had time to think about this when he was stuck in the belly of a big fish. Here’s what he prayed: “All who worship worthless idols turn from the God who offers them mercy” (Jonah 2:8 CEV).

Today I don’t carve idols. But I still have them. It could be cars, home, clothes, work, prestige, fortune, wealth, or fame. Anything I place above God is an idol.

The only solution for my problems is the grace of God. Anytime I turn to something else, I’m turning to an idol.

When Jonah was at the bottom of the ocean in a big fish, he didn’t turn to an idol. He trusted God to help, and God came through. God will do the same for me.

In summary, turning to and worshiping worthless idols, will only turn me away from God who offers mercy. Any object of my devotion that replaces God is just a lying vanity. I end up deceiving myself with something that is ultimately empty and foolish. I need to make sure that nothing takes God's rightful place in my life. When in trouble, I’m often tempted to find some sort of quick fix, or at least something that will relieve my stress. When things are falling apart, I can often try everything imaginable to solve the problem. Everything, that is, except asking God for help. The only solution for my problems is the grace of God. Anytime I turn to something else, I’m turning to an idol. Like Jonah, when he was at the bottom of the ocean in a big fish, he didn’t turn towards an idol. Rather, he trusted God to help, and God came through. God will do the same for me.

Father I ask you, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that I identify the things I turn toward instead of you. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. Help me to turn to you and your truth when I start to feel down about what will happen with my current role at the end of the year. I ask for encouragement as I put my trust in you for what my next role will be and when. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.

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