DAILY BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 14, 15; James 2.

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” Ezekiel 14:3 (KJV)

There was a time when the word “idol” always meant that one had a physical shrine and poured libations daily on it. While this practice still exists today, we have stronger more deadly idols now than those which required a physical place of abode. Today, from the main text, we see that there is an idol that resides in the heart! It is so easily mobile and appears not to be burdensome to carry. It can go with us even before the presence of the Lord. This is the idol that we must turn away from today.

The elders of Israel went to enquire of the Lord before His anointed prophet and they went with idols in their hearts! These were the elders, custodians of God’s word, and leaders of the people of God. Yet, they had idols in their hearts. Idolatry is not an ancient practice; it is a sin of the jet age as well. It is possible to hide from man the idols of the heart, but we cannot hide our hearts from God and it is unto God that we daily present ourselves.

Like those elders, we cannot come to God bearing idols in our hearts and expect to receive answers from Him. God will not accede to the prayers of an idolater. You might say that you have no idols, but in verse 7, the Lord said to the Prophet “…for every one of the house of Israel… which separates himself from me and sets up his idol in his heart…” When we separate God from certain areas of our lives, we invariably set up idols in that area. Idols serve as stumbling blocks that shield our faces from God. We must put away the idol.

He that comes to God must “…believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We must come fully devoted to God, and be fully dependent on Him. We must each take heed to ourselves so that we do not raise idols in our hearts, we must be careful not to separate God from any aspect of our lives. If the elders who were supposed to know better could fall into this sin, then we too must be watchful. Put away the idol and the stumbling block of iniquity!

Prayer: Dear God, forgive me if I have raised idols in my heart, help me to put you over every facet of my life in Jesus name.

Rev. Julius Oluwole