Daily Devotional

WORSHIP THE LORD AND HIM ONLY

January 18

eloved, do you know what it means to make an idol of someone? Suppose you allow that person to treat you cruelly for years on end? Suppose you blind yourself to evil actions and treatment by that person for a long time, and simply make excuses for them? Suppose you say, “it is the Christian way for me to be quiet and let them run over me and the children repeatedly?” You are wrong, my child. You may be either making an idol of the idea of marriage and the absolute necessity for your marriage or relationship to succeed that you could not bear the pain of the failure if it fails. You may very well be empowering the other person that you worship to despise you and mistreat you. Why did your Father say, “You shall have no other gods (idols) before you?” (Exodus 20:3 NKJV) It is because, the false idol tends to turn on the person and oppress them. Why don’t you search your heart and repent of demeaning yourself the way that you have for so long. Why don’t you say to your Heavenly Father, “Lord, I will no longer make of a man/woman/family/marriage an idol in my life.” There is no God but the Lord God. It is time for you to declare your freedom from all forms of idolatry. Ask your Father in Heaven if there are other areas of compromise in your life and walk with God. What about clutching to others? What about the jealousies and strife that exists in your home? Where do you think it comes from--- the idea of worship of the perfect relationship with others? This worship is idolatry. Declare yourself free from the unhealthy need of others to “stroke” you and keep you in bondage. If someone is cruelly treating you, admit your fault in this and declare your freedom. This may not mean a divorce, but it does mean that you will go higher in the esteem of your partner or friends if you will get some “backbone” and stand up and love yourself in their presence. You are far more valuable to those of your household than you have ever imagined. Don’t give those around you one more day to despise you and devalue your worth to them. Love yourself and let go of unhealthy bondages in the name of Jesus.

Prayer

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Father, you can see things that I cannot! Search my heart. If I have allowed myself to be disrespected by others out of fear of losing them, forgive me. I have sold out myself and sinned against my Father who made me in His image--- a beautiful image of love and value to others. I praise you for showing me this Father, in Jesus’ lovely name, amen!