Offending God
This morning as I read Ezekiel 23:38-39 the message struck me. These verses talk about how God was offended by the Israelites who would worship their idols or profane the Sabbath and then, go to worship Him at the Temple. It hurt God that they would do those things the "same day."
It mentions "after they had slain their children for the idols" that they would go to His house the same day. I can't imagine allowing my child to be killed to appease an idol. However, it is even more unbelievable that God's people would watch their children die in a pagan ritual, and then go to the Temple to worship the True and Living God. What would make a person think that was alright?
I am afraid we can do the same thing today, though. I used to have a friend who said that every church worship center should have a sign above the door that says, "Don't bring the Devil in here with you." It is possible to give into the flesh before going to worship and mistreat our family right before we enter for worship. In fact, some people may have been watching something terrible on TV or on the Internet just before they leave for church services. How does that make God feel? It is very offensive to Him, and it saddens Him very much. We must not think we can play the hypocrite and not have God notice it. We need to realize how much it grieves Him each time we do those kinds of thing, but especially when it is the same day we try to worship Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 27-30.
It mentions "after they had slain their children for the idols" that they would go to His house the same day. I can't imagine allowing my child to be killed to appease an idol. However, it is even more unbelievable that God's people would watch their children die in a pagan ritual, and then go to the Temple to worship the True and Living God. What would make a person think that was alright?
I am afraid we can do the same thing today, though. I used to have a friend who said that every church worship center should have a sign above the door that says, "Don't bring the Devil in here with you." It is possible to give into the flesh before going to worship and mistreat our family right before we enter for worship. In fact, some people may have been watching something terrible on TV or on the Internet just before they leave for church services. How does that make God feel? It is very offensive to Him, and it saddens Him very much. We must not think we can play the hypocrite and not have God notice it. We need to realize how much it grieves Him each time we do those kinds of thing, but especially when it is the same day we try to worship Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 27-30.