Is It Not Themselves They Spite?

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Is It Not Themselves They Spite?

We know God is holy  in all His ways.     That means  God is perfectly righteous  in everything He does  —  He is perfectly just  in all His decisions  —  He is perfect love  —  He is faithful,  good,  patient,  kind.     The LORD has never sinned  in any way,  shape,  manner,  or form.

So,  who has got a problem  with that?     Those are some very desirable qualities  when we hope God  will answer our ardent prayers.     But,  the world is very resentful  hearing all these wonderful qualities  when they want  to do something their way  —  not  God’s holy way.

There is a tradition  people need  to think about  far in advance  of its celebration,  because people need time  to think about its effects.     It’s the time when stores are  jam packed  with all sorts  of Halloween paraphernalia.    We’re used  to that.     There aren’t very many  who have a problem  with that.     But,  God has a big time problem  with that.     People will retort,  “No, He doesn’t!”    They claim  God does not care  about Halloween activities,  which are just fun ways  to spoof  old-time superstitions.

Since there are conflicting views  and opinions,  one needs  to go to God’s word  to figure out  what He has said  about such things  as Halloween activities  and similar worldly traditions.    We all know  the word “Halloween”  does not appear  in the Bible.     So,  how can we figure out  what God thinks?     As we read God’s word,  there are stories,  prophesies,  and verses  of all sorts  that show God’s total disgust  with every kind of myth,  superstition,  idol worship,  and lie.     Think about that.

The prophet Jeremiah had  to deal with a problem  like this,  so some information  can be found there.     The Israelites were committing  all sorts of sins  from oppressing orphans  to stealing,  to murder,  to worshiping idols  of all sorts.      There was no justice  in the land.

Now here’s the big time problem.     While they did all this,  they would also attend worship services  to the LORD.     This was like double duty,  covering all their bases.     After worshiping the idols,  they would go  to worship God.     So,  God says  in Jeremiah 7:9-10,

Will you steal,  murder,  and commit adultery,  and swear falsely,  and offer sacrifices to Baal,  and walk after other gods  that you have not known,  then come  and stand before Me  in this house,  which is called  by My name,  and say,  “We are delivered!” — that you may do  all these abominations?

The two-faced Israelites  actually thought  God had to bless them  just because they went  to the Temple  to worship.     They were so sure  God did not care  that they took part  in heathen activities.     They “trusted” God’s love,  faithfulness,  and kindness  —  but had absolutely no respect  for His holiness.

Well,  doesn’t that sound  just like people today?     People think  they can promote  all the heathen superstitions,  myths,  and lies  on Halloween,  and then,  go to church the next day  to receive all  of God’s blessings.

God gave Jeremiah  some instructions  about these sorts  of circumstances.     In Jeremiah 7:16-19,  the LORD says  to Jeremiah,

“As for you,  do not pray  for this people,  and do not lift up  cry or prayer  for them,  and do not intercede  with Me;  for I do not hear you.

Do you not see  what they are doing  in the cities  of Judah  and in the streets  of Jerusalem?     The children  gather wood,  and the fathers  kindle the fire,  and the women  knead dough  to make cakes  for the queen  of heaven;  and they pour out drink offerings  to other gods  in order  to spite Me.”

“Do they spite Me?”  declares the LORD.    “Is it not themselves  they spite, to their own shame?”

As we think  about what God said  in this instance,  and consider it  along with many similar instances  throughout the Bible,  we should apply God’s opinion  to our circumstances today.     It’s really  no different.     God does not change.     Halloween honors witchcraft,  ghosts,  goblins,  and all sorts  of heathen superstitions.      Since these scary lies  lead people  to fear myths  instead of trusting  in the love  and salvation  of God,  the LORD detests  and hates  these lies.      God’s love wants  to keep us close  to His heart  in truth,  so that we may have eternal salvation  through faith  in Jesus.

Back then,  the people stubbornly insisted  on worshiping idols  and God  at the same time.     They hated Jeremiah’s  constant preaching.     It was so tiresome.     So,  God brought them  to repentance  by having the enemies capture them  and haul them off  into exile.

As God greatly desires us  to live  in the truth,  and in faith,  hope  and love,  let us honor His amazing love  for us  in Jesus Christ.     As we turn  our whole lives over  to the LORD,  we say,   “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You  for so patiently teaching us  through Your word  to see the awesome goodness  and truth  of Your whole being.     Lead us  to honor  and respect You only.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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