(Part two of trying to finish my last point from Sunday's sermon)
SANCTIFY THE LAND - 2 Chronicles 31:1
Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the sacred pillars in pieces, cut down the wooden images, and threw down the high places and the altars--from all Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh--until they had utterly destroyed them all.
Even though they had cleaned the the temple, which took them 16 days, the "land" still needed to be cleaned up. Monday I told you how the pillars and wooden images represented the sexual immorality of our day.
What about the high places and altars? God had directed them that the only legitimate places of worship were at Gibeon (where the tabernacle was) and in Jerusalem (where the ark was). But they had erected altars all over the land, mostly in high places. Often, they worshipped false "gods," but even if they were worshipping Jehovah God, their worship was illegitimate because it was in disobedience, rebellion against God.
Where are your high places, your illegitimate worship? It can be lots of things, anything that is more important in your life than it should be. And it is definitely anything that gets in the way of your worship of God.
Hobbies. Friends. Television. Football (or whatever your favorite ball is). Golf. Fishing or boating. Hunting. None of these things are necessarily bad, but when they get in the way of more important things or take away your ability to serve God as He deserves, they are idols, places of rebellion in your life!
Even work, obviously a necessity, can be an idol. Especially those of us who are climbing the corporate ladder, and those addicted to their jobs. Spending more effort and time on our jobs than the reason for our jobs (our kids and spouse) is crazy when you think about it!
Two ways to easily measure your priorities is the amount of time you spend on something and the amount of money you spend on something. Sometimes, getting things in order is as easy as putting away the golf clubs and grabbing a basketball instead - put priority on your spouse and kids. And check that budget - how much discretionary spending is on them and how much is for you? Ouch! We're supposed to be the first ones to sacrifice, not the last.
God, help us reorganize our priorities. Help me keep the main things, the main things. Starting with You; then my family, those in my house; then my personal ministry, what You have gifted me to do for you. Keep me in check by your Holy Spirit. And as I spend them wisely, bless my time and finances to be more effective and enjoyable for my family.
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