Devotional - May 3, 2004

Some might view this verse as endorsing a king as God's acceptable plan for his people, but in doing so, they'd interpret Scripture wrongly. A king wasn't required in order for God's people to live righteously. But it seemed, the people had no righteousness of their own and needed someone who listened to God and would make decisions and tell them what to do. Micah was a perfect example of what happens when a religious person does what seems holy but in so doing, offends God.

Micah's idols represent a cheap imitation of worship. They are no different than the man-made religions of today that take the best morals man has and blends it with a little truth from God's word. It then, splashes the unholy result on the world, giving God credit for what little good comes from it. All the while, the little good accomplished is artificial and short-lived proving that true godliness can only be found in worshiping in Spirit and truth.

Jesus addressed this very issue when he spoke to Nicodemus. "Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:21)

Are you like Micah? Do you foolishly create your own religion by picking and choosing what is acceptable to you within God's word? Are you then claiming to be blessed by God even though your worship is unholy? If so, you need to clean that junk out of your life before it consumes you. By attaching more importance to your religious icons than to the Son of God, you are placing yourself and everyone else around you in danger.

Today, you can establish a place to worship that is void of deceit and worldliness. All you have to do is properly regard the King of Kings and place His word at the center of your life. Throw out anything that is worldly and avoid following anyone who extracts portions of God's word to improve receptivity of their message.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Jd. 17:1-18:31 Jn. 3:1-22 Ps. 104:1-24 Pr. 14:20-21 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society