Turning from Idols - Isaiah 41-42 and I Thessalonians 1
All of the troubles Israel had were brought on because they decided to worship the idols of the people in the Promised Land. God sent them many prophets to show them how wrong this was, but they would not listen. Finally, He had to punish them by sending them into exile. That was a fitting punishment. They wanted the idols instead of God, so he sent them to live in the land of the idols. All of this was because God loved them, and He wanted the best for them. These chapters assure Israel that God had not forsaken them, but He was waiting for them to turn from the idols before He could bless them. That is only right. God is the only God. He is the one who saved them from Egypt. He made a covenant with them. Why should God bless them when they turned to idols? In order to receive God's blessing, they had to turn from the idols back to the True God. They did this during the exile, so God blessed them.
The believers in Thessalonica were known for their faith, their love, and their hope. They were examples to other believers. They received God's Word and trusted Christ as Lord. However, first, they had to turn from their idols. If they had not been willing to turn from their idols, God would not have redeemed them. Then, they had to stay away from the idols for God to continue to bless them. Are you receiving God's blessings now? If not, it could be that there are idols in your life. If they are keeping you from putting God first and giving Him all of the honor He deserves, they are blocking God from blessing you. You must turn from your idols and trust only in God. Then, He will bless you. Maybe, you are being punished now. God could be trying to show you the idols in your life, and to lead you from trusting them. Be assured that we must turn from our idols before God can bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 43-44 and I Thessalonians 2.
The believers in Thessalonica were known for their faith, their love, and their hope. They were examples to other believers. They received God's Word and trusted Christ as Lord. However, first, they had to turn from their idols. If they had not been willing to turn from their idols, God would not have redeemed them. Then, they had to stay away from the idols for God to continue to bless them. Are you receiving God's blessings now? If not, it could be that there are idols in your life. If they are keeping you from putting God first and giving Him all of the honor He deserves, they are blocking God from blessing you. You must turn from your idols and trust only in God. Then, He will bless you. Maybe, you are being punished now. God could be trying to show you the idols in your life, and to lead you from trusting them. Be assured that we must turn from our idols before God can bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 43-44 and I Thessalonians 2.