Clearing The Pantry
Any half eaten block of chocolate or opened packet of chips will be thrown in the bin.
Reference: v.4 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: You only have to look in my pantry to know whether I am on a diet or not. If I’m doing some strict cutting back then I will remove all the junk food from the kitchen. Any half eaten block of chocolate or opened packet of chips will be thrown in the bin. If they stay in the pantry I wont be able to trust myself in a moment of dieting weakness.
Application: It seems that I am not alone. When we are feeling vulnerable then we are easily lead by what is before us. The people of Judah were supposed to be God’s chosen people, and yet they were easily lead into doing the wrong thing. When they felt vulnerable and needed assistance from a higher being they were willing to go to any god to ask for help. Their King did not help them to stay focused on the one true God by getting rid of the other worship areas and so they still used to seek help. We may go through times when we feel weak and vulnerable but we need to be wiser in our stronger moments so that we don’t falter.
Prayer: Lord, I know the things that catch me out and lead me to temptation. Help me to be wiser and stronger so that I am not defeated. Amen.
What is a great temptation for you? How can you help yourself not to be tempted?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.