Posts tagged #Idolatry
Genesis 11:27-12:3 :: Get Out...To
Reader:
The LORD turned His attention to an individual for the benefit of all.
Abraham was a man who served other gods. He was a man who, with his wife Sarah, sat in barrenness – not only that of being childless, but that of a spiritual wilderness. He was a man to whom the LORD revealed Himself and called unto Himself – out of barrenness into blessedness by faith.
To each of us the LORD declares, “Get out!” In the gospels Jesus communicates the same thing when He says, “Repent!” At the same time, He declares the “to” – the goal, the finish, the end.
Faith is in the middle. It’s our “–” and our “…”. This is Jesus’ command to, “Follow Me.” The “to” is, “I will make you,” “I will show you,” and “I will bless you.”
The gospel was preached by God to Abraham: “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Those who are of faith in Jesus are blessed with believing Abraham.
( Jos 24:2; Ac ts 7:2-4; Heb 11:8-10, 13-16; Isa 41:8, 51:2; Ps 105:42; 2 Chr 20:7; Gal 3:8-9; (Abraham) John 8:33-59; Rom 4:1-16, 9:7; Gal 3:6-29; Heb 2:16, 6:13, 7:1-9)
Zechariah 13 :: Names
Reader:
What’s your name?
Why? Because your name is your identity.
For instance, when you read the name, “John,” who comes to mind? Regardless of how many people you know that are named “John,” you can identify each individual separately. What you have experienced or observed about a particular “John” relates to how you define “John.”
Ultimately, we lack a tremendous amount of information as we attempt to define others, and even ourselves.
What about when you read the name of Jesus? How do you define Jesus? How does Jesus define Himself?
In Zechariah 13, we see the LORD exterminating the names, the identities, the definitions of God that are sourced apart from His self-revelation.
When we call on the name of Jesus for salvation, for life, when we say that, “The LORD is my God,” God answers and says, “[You] are My people.” Because He is our God and we are His people, He will not tolerate any other gods in our lives.
May He cut off every idol from the landscape of our minds and hearts. May we receive our new names, our new identities, from Him.