Words of Encouragement

(modern abstract of flames)

They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in [a] the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.  So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, - 2 Kings 17:16-18

Sacrifices. Destructive Sacrifices. If you are like me, when I read these verses of scripture, I find this discomforting.  The first thought comes to your mind, what matter of person would take their own son or daughter and thrown them in the flames to sacrifice to a worthless god?  We become outraged at this.

However, we must stop and think how does this relate to people today?  While we may not take an actual fire and put our children in it, what about the lives that are set before them that lead them to the fires of hell?  What about the parent that lives a sinful life before their child and sets that behavior as righteous?  When that child becomes a product of that behavior, which leads to sin can this parent say they are truly any better than the children of God of old that physically put their children in the flames?  It was for their own lust that they did it.  Isn't that the same today?

Instead, the call for us today is to make sure we are not making sacrifices that are destructive.  We are not sacrificing our time to sinful behavior which will result in the effects being lived out by our children. These sinful behaviors only cause us to be removed from the presence of the Lord.

I pray today that God will help us to have ears to hear what he is telling us and eyes to see what the cause and effects are of our lives.  Lord today we seek you to help us to give you the sacrifices of ourselves that are acceptable to you.