EXTRA ACCOUNTABLE

If I "hide idols" while I claim to seek the God of the Bible, I am accountable for my error, and in for real trouble. In today's reading, Ezekiel describes certain prominent people who went through the motions of seeking God's direction, yet their loyalties were divided. In reality, God's directives for them were anything but top priority. Here's what God said through the prophet:

For any one of the house of Israel,
or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel,
who separates himself from me, taking his idols
into his heart and putting the stumbling block
of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes
to a prophet to consult me through him,
I the Lord will answer him myself.
And I will set my face against that man;
I will make him a sign and a byword
and cut him off from the midst
of my people, and you shall know
that I am the Lord. - Ezekiel 14: 7-8

These guys were admired, respected, and looked up to in their community. They were in a position to be emulated, and would certainly lead others astray by their bad example. They thought they'd have their cake and eat it too by consulting Ezekiel to keep up appearances, while at the same time keeping certain things separate from God's rule in their lives. Those idols they treasured were surely not worth the cost of having God set his face against them!

What do I treasure above God's rule, though it may not be made of gold? What would I withhold from God's sovereignty? What have I taken into my heart that's more important than what God wants for me? What am I doing that might lead others astray by my bad example? Is there an area in my life where I want to look like a Christian but act otherwise? I'd better watch out if I say I want to seek God. If I am not sincere, that makes me extra accountable, directly to him.

My prayer for you and me is from the New Testament portion of today's reading. May we be like Moses, who "considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward" (Hebrews 11:26). Here's to greater wealth!