The last time I wrote I ended by saying that this blog would be about the importance of developing a Bible study reading plan and some tips on how to do that. However, I’m feeling pretty led to change directions a bit. Let me first say that having a Bible study plan is important and if you’d like some help developing one, let me know and I’d be happy to share with you some lessons learned over the years. But today I want to share a fresh insight on a couple of well known verses.

There is this app that I love, maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s First 5 and is part of Proverbs 31 ministries. I have been reading through the plan called “Prone to Wander” because, well I am exactly that-prone to wander. The study goes through several of the smaller books in the old testament, the first one being Hoesa, which is where I am in the study. Here is what I am confronted with- I am so much like the nation of Israel that it scares me. We read time and time again that this chosen people of God kept turning to idols (basically anything or anyone other than God) and nations instead of sticking with God. God would confront them with their sin, they would say “we’re sorry” and maybe even turn back towards Him for a short while. But sure enough, once life got easy and/routine again they quickly forgot their commitment and turned to other things once again. Guys I do this! A lot! Maybe not the extent that the Israelites did but an idol is an idol. Our idols today look different than the ones in biblical times. Whether it’s our job, status, reputation, bank account, house, car, social media, sports, kids and even ourselves, we still have them. And regardless of what they are it’s important to realize that they are there and we are the ones building them, and running to them. One of the reasons this concept is so troubling to me is that I know I shouldn’t run to my idols, but I do it anyway! I know my idols are empty and won’t really fill me up or make me feel better, yet I continue to turn towards them. I know they will ultimately disappoint me, but for whatever reason I can’t stop myself from looking to them for comfort. 

This reading led me to several scriptures outside of Hosea that God allowed me to see and understand with a fresh eyes. I’ll be the first to admit, my thoughts have been fairly jumbled as of late, so this insight kind of knocked me on my butt. I’d like to walk you through two of those scriptures and the insight provided to me by my Savior this morning.

The first is James 1:22-25 which says “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was.  But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.”

Here is the problem I have. Well, actually I have a ton of problems (sin really), but here is where I was convicted today. I have read this passage many times, but never really understood what it meant. Thankfully God provided some much needed understanding. Over the years, I have a fairly consistent time alone with God. Even looking forward to my morning time alone. However, what I fail to do is apply what I read and learned to my daily life. You see too often, much more than I care to admit, I finish reading, put my journal and Bible on the shelf and “immediately forget” who I am just like James warns us about. Because like we all are I am a sinner saved by grace and deeply loved by God. This sin of not applying what I have learned has become a pattern of sin, a bad habit I can’t seem to break. And for whatever reason, I have been unable to see this sin in my life. Or maybe I’m just making excuses for not really wanting to change. One of the things I tell my daughter is that “if you were really sorry, you’d stop doing this or that, not just say the words”. When I read almost those exact words in today’s devotional in relation to God, my sin and my refusal (ouch that hurts) to change, I was able to see this passage of scripture in a whole new light. I had never realized (ouch again) what I was doing or not doing.

The second verse referenced was Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Reading this passage led to a question – where is and what is my treasure? I mean really? I could answer quickly and with one of the old standbys: money, success, family. But I just can’t shake the conviction that I’m not being honest with myself. I’m still working through this, but the thought that keeps coming back is- my treasure and idol is myself.  While this passage is often referenced in talking about money, I feel like it has many more implications. There remains work to be done on this topic in my life and heart. I am trusting God to guide me to a still deeper and clearer understanding of where my treasure lies. But this I know – I’m tired of way too easily falling back into old habits and patterns of sin. Anytime I read about the nation of Israel and their constant failures, I pray “please God, don’t let me be like them”. Sadly I fear that I am just like them. Failing to learn from the past. And I desperately want to change.

But, there is Good News, actually Amazing News and His name is Jesus. He knows about all my sin and has already paid the high price for it with His life. My actions and motives never surprise Him, He knows me better than I know myself. He has saved me! Therefore, I don’t have to continue to try and place myself in a high enough position to earn forgiveness and salvation. I, rather He can go ahead and destroy this idol of self I have built, because it is not needed. Jesus and He alone has made a way for me. Yes I still need to address my sin and fully repent. Yes there will still be consequences for my poor choices and disobedience. Yes, it’s probably going to be hard. Yes, it will take humility and asking for help in some areas. But none of that changes the fact that I am a child of God, completely forgiven and free.

Thanks for reading! I hope and pray this was helpful to you and that maybe you can learn from my mistakes. We are all on a journey, going on it together makes it easier and more enjoyable.