One [idol] he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. (1 Kings 12:29)
JEROBOAM WAS CRAFTY. He knew if the Israelites slipped out of the country to worship in Jerusalem, the place God had designated for true worship, they would soon become King Rehoboam’s subjects. So Jeroboam set up two worship centers in Israel, one at Dan in the north and the other at Bethel in the south. A golden calf would be the object of worship at each place. The Israelites should not have accepted false worship, but they did.
The Devil is crafty too. He is unalterably opposed to true worship, so he sets up idols for people to worship. On any given Sunday, some worship at the shrine of sports. Some worship at the shrine of the almighty dollar. They voluntarily choose Sunday as a workday instead of as a day of worship. Others worship at the shrine of recreation. For them, Sunday is “Funday.” So week after week they make a pilgrimage to a golf course or to the mountains or to the ocean or to some other place that offers fun. Of course, the god of relaxation appeals too many. They could go to church, but they decide to relax at home. The Sunday newspaper is their Bible. A cup of coffee holds more appeal than a communion cup. A recliner fits them better than a pew or theater seat.
Skipping church is habit forming. It’s a habit we need to avoid.
As much as possible attend church and worship the Lord every Sunday.
Jim Dyet was born in Scotland and grew up in Canada. Married fifty-eight years, he and his wife Gloria live in Colorado Springs, where Jim enjoys golf and daily walks with their dogs.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
