You replaced me…with something else

We have no idea how easy it is to put God in second place…

 

You saw an altar that was like no other, and you wanted it.

It was nothing like the bronze altar that was already in the temple in your homeland.

In a flash, you had memorized the design, and you told the priests exactly how to make it.

Away went the bronze altar, pushed aside and no longer important.

In came the new altar – installed at a place of prominence for every eye to see.

It’s only an altar, they said.

But I knew that you had replaced me… with something else.

 

2 Kings 16: 11-14 “As for the bronze altar that stood before the Lord, he brought it from the front of the temple—from between the new altar and the temple of the Lord—and put it on the north side of the new altar.” (NIV)

 

It’s not an altar, you say. It’s just a job.

Long hours take away your fellowship with God.

Your Sundays for rest and reflection on God become shorter and fewer,

While pressing deadlines eat at your devotion time.

Soon, all you are talking about is work.

In your conversation, your career takes precedence, with God as an afterthought.

Your career, your job, your work, find their way onto the pedestal of your heart.

You replace me…with something else.

 

His touch takes your breath away; her eyes make your heart skip a beat.

The days are not long enough for you to get enough of each other.

So you begin to chip away at your time with God,

Just to get an extra minute with your beloved.

One minute turns into an hour, a day, a week.

Within no time, you are more engrossed in the love of your life than your Creator.

It’s not an altar, you say, it’s just a relationship.

As God watches from a distance, all He can say to you is,

You replaced me… with something else.

 

Psalm 135: 15-18 “The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” (NLT) 

 

What do you mean, I replaced you for something else?

I have my life, my work, and you.

You’re an important part of my life, Lord!

An important part, I ask? I should be the most important!

I created you, formed you, and gave you life.

My breath flows within you.

Without me you are nothing.

And yet…

You replaced me…with something else.

 

 

Bit by bit, the great exchange took place.

Every little thing you asked for became something that drew you away from me.

You took every gift I gave you and set it up in my place,

You gave earthly things prominence,

At my expense.

You replaced me… with something else.

 

My child – all is not lost.

Because I love you, I will have mercy on you.

I will teach you to say no to things that entice you away from me,

I will make your heart focus on me alone.

Yes, my child, you replaced me…with something else,

But by the time I am done with you (if you let me),

You will have replaced everything else,

With me.

 

 

1 John 5:21 “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (NLT)

 

 

 

Hi, everyone! Thanks again for stopping by and reading this week’s article! I hope you have enjoyed reading the poem above, and that you have been challenged to give God precedence in your life. Please share this article with someone who really needs to read these words. Have a great week ahead!