July 2 SOAP Devotional

July 2, 2008
Read Exodus 23
To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex%2023&version=51#en-NLT-2161

Scripture- Exodus 23:32-33- “Make no treaties with them or their gods. They must not live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me. If you serve their gods, you will be caught in the trap of idolatry.”

Observations- The Israelites were to observe the festivals and Sabbath as a reminder that they were to serve God and God alone. These festivals were to bring to mind God’s goodness, care and faithfulness to them. The Sabbath held special significance because it was to be a sign of the covenant being established between God and Israel. This covenant relationship was reciprocal in nature. If the Israelites obeyed God, then they would enjoy their own land as well as future comfort and security. Because of this relationship with God, the Israelites were to distance themselves from the worship of any other gods by destroying all pagan images and places of worship. They also were not to enter into any treaties with the inhabitants of the land because this would cause them to compromise their exclusive allegiance to God and make them susceptible to “the trap of idolatry.”


Application- There are plenty of idols out there calling for our allegiance. The problem we face in modern society is that they are not as clearly identified. An idol can be anything that has a higher priority in our lives and allegiances than God. We can make people, possessions, relationships, experiences, teams, events, certain doctrinal positions, ministry positions, jobs, careers, or a whole host of other things, idols. When we do, we get sucked into the “trap of idolatry.” We wind up, mostly unintentionally, placing these other things ahead of our devotion to God. God desires to have our complete allegiance and devotion. We were shown what a life lived in allegiance to God looks like in the life of Jesus. We are called to live into that life as we grow more and more into the identity that God already sees in us. What idols are you tempted to serve? I know what mine are and I know that I must jealously guard my heart and keep it for God first and foremost. Because when I am not careful, they slip back into their comfy chair at the center of my soul.


Prayer- Lord, there are so many things that compete for our attention and allegiance in today’s world. We are so busy that it is sometimes scary to think about. We get so caught up in our own lives and our own agendas that we fail to guard our hearts. As a result, we allow other things to creep in and push You out of Your rightful place on the throne of our hearts. Help us, Lord, to take the time and make the effort to guard our hearts so that we will worship and serve You above all else. Amen.



Guarding My Heart,

Pastor Matt