Devotionals for the Heart: Idols

What is Your Idol?
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols…”
– Ezekiel 14:3-4 (KJV)

God has made a way of escape for every situation we might find ourselves in. He doesn’t want us in bondage. We’re so quick to step into a trap because the idol seems harmless. I’ve fallen into traps throughout my Christian walk and was stunned by how innocent it all seemed.

Here’s an example of my own idol making experience: When I was in the workforce, I was the classic workaholic. I loved my job. I worked overtime and gave no thought to my husband when he came home from his job to an empty house and less than desirable meals. I allowed the job to encroach into my prayer life, and soon I became too tired to go to church midweek and finally Sundays were out because I had household duties and shopping to do on Saturday, so Sunday became my own personal day of rest. Blinded to the danger of the idol I was setting up in my life God began to intervene in a way I never suspected.

God sent another nurse into the practice who sabotaged me and caused me so much grief. She actually told me she was going to get my job, and she did. God not only allowed this, He orchestrated it. All to get me away from the idol I was making in my life. He cares enough to steer us back when we get off track.

Take an internal check. Is there anything in your life that detracts or interferes with your serving God? He desires our first fruits, not just of your increase, but your time. We are admonished to not have any Gods before Him. That was His first commandment.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”—Exodus 20:3 (KJV)

Since God made this his first commandment, It’s important to Him but more so for us. My writing at times pulls me back into my old work habits. I love writing and one would ask, “How could that be wrong?”

The writing isn’t! It’s the order I’ve placed it in. Since I am being called to correction, I will do so post haste. I want nothing to come between my Heavenly Father and myself. Nothing else matters. Maintaining a balanced Christian life is difficult, and you can’t do it alone, only God can keep you on an even keel.

Have a blessed day in Jesus.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Nanci writes Inspy Amish romance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two fur kids, Romeo and Juliet, rescue cats. She is working on her debut novel, Plain Justice.

She retired earlier than planned from nursing to care for her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her mom passed last year at the age of ninety-nine and Nanci has delved more into her writing.

She is active in an intercessory prayer ministry in her church, belongs to The Woman’s Club, a service-oriented volunteer organization dedicated to the welfare and enrichment of the community and volunteers two days a week at the Mary Washington Museum.

Currently, she's enrolled in Rhema Bible College’s correspondence Bible studies. She belongs to ACFW and RWA. When she’s not working, reading or writing she’s hiking with her husband at Shenandoah National Park.