CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 948

“Diluted Faith”

So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. (2 Kings 17:33)

In the movie The Mummy, the character Beni wears symbols of many religions and their idols or gods around his neck. When face to face with the Mummy he rapidly prays to each idol in turn hoping to find one that will protect him. How many of us are like the character Beni or the people spoken of in 2 Kings in that we fear the Lord but continue to serve other idols in our life as well?

What does it mean to ‘fear the Lord’? The root word translated as ‘fear’ does not mean to be afraid of God. It means to have a reverential awe of Him. Having Fear of the Lord is to respect and obey Him and to be in awe of who He is – Almighty God, our creator and our Savior.

It is evident then that our faith is diluted and we are like disobedient children when we disobey God’s commandment to have no other idols before Him. You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)

God is calling us into a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. He does not desire a relationship veneer based upon ritual and religion. Without the depth of a personal abiding relationship of love we are easily enticed into having other idols in life.

When under stress or in need of peace and comfort, some turn to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs to temporarily numb the reality of their situation and provide a brief escape. These are idols that dilute their faith and these idols exact a high price from them physically, emotionally and spiritually. To whom or where do you turn in your time of need? Are there a plethora of ‘saints’ that receive your prayers instead of praying to the one, true God? Do you seek peace in the bottom of a bottle or at the end of a needle rather than turning to your Father in heaven first and foremost?

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

A steadfast relationship with our Lord builds trust and gives us perfect peace in any and all situations we encounter in this life. Steadfastness implies a 24/7 awareness of His abiding presence as we also abide in Him. When we abide in Christ and He in us, there is no room for other idols to dilute our faith.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:7-11)

May your faith be pure and undiluted, strengthened by the deep abiding presence of our Lord Jesus in your heart.