Ezekiel Chapter 14: Verses 1-5 (NLT)
Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me, this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves. I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols.’
The leaders of Israel at the time of Ezekiel wanted to have their cake and eat it too. They wanted to be like all the other nations, but they also wanted to cover themselves and ask God about certain things. They were not being sincere in coming before God. We should never try and put a face on for God, because He knows the deep things of our hearts and minds. If we are just playing about with the things of God, do we really expect Him to respond favourably and give us what we ask for? If some one tries to take advantage of us just to get something, we are not likely to be very pleased, so why should we think that God will be any different?
What sort of idols do we have in our heart that we give prior place before God? It might be status, career, it might be wealth. It might be family or other relationships. We need to always put God first if we are serious about living a Christian life. God is not Santa Claus benevolently giving us the things that we ask Him for and neither does He grant us three wishes. He is the God of the Universe who loves us and wants us to love Him.
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember who it is I come before. May I never take for granted Your goodness and mercy. You are worthy of all honour and praise. Thank You for accepting me as a child of God, only possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Amen.