I Have Not Changed

Exodus 20:2-5 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected – even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands”

These words were given to Moses thousands of years ago. They were to guide the behavior and hearts of my children. I have not changed. Nor have my commands changed. You are not to worship any god but me. You are not to create idols of anything that take my place in your hearts. You are not to replace me with anything or anyone. Yet, here you are. You have been inching me out for many, many years. You have replaced me with so many idols it is impossible to list them all – money, fame, sex, position and power, electronic devices, inventions, shopping, drugs, alcohol, self-image, professions – anything you have in your life can be and has been turned into an idol. And so, you have chosen to push me out and I am honoring those decisions. Your Nation is in ruins – financially, physically, morally, spiritually – in every way. And it is because you have rejected me. It is because you have dedicated your lives to pleasure and self-fulfillment over honor and obedience to me. Your children and your grandchildren are suffering as a result of years of decisions by their ancestors. Your nation will continue to suffer and descend into chaos if you do not repent and return to me. Wholeheartedly. Humbly. Sincerely. For this promise has not changed, either: I will (and do) lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey me. But not on those who worship anything or anyone other than me.  Choose. But, eyes open. Ask yourselves: how have prior choices been working out for you? (2022)