2 Kings 18:1-8 – “In the third year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Ahaz’s son Hezekiah became king over Judah. ² He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem.  His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. ³ He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done. ⁴ He eliminated the high places, smashed the sacred pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah pole. He also demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been offering incense to it; it was called Nehushtan. ⁵ He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. ⁶ He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments that the Lord had given to Moses. ⁷ The Lord was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to submit to him. ⁸ He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.”

Sometimes, reading with an open heart and uncluttered mind brings a much-needed reminder.   Such was the case today as I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God.

2 Kings 18:1-8 is a brief introduction to the reign of Hezekiah.  Something in this brief introduction grabbed my attention and stopped me in my tracks.   

In verse 3, “He did what the LORD approved…”   That should be our daily ambition.   In verse 4, he began to clean the house, clearing the land of all the idols and high places where false gods were worshipped.  Then, this stopped me in my tracks, “He ALSO demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, FOR UP TO THAT TIME the Israelites had been offering incense to it; it was called Nehushtan.”

Immediately, the Holy Spirit brought to my consciousness a shocking reality.   It is possible that there is the danger of taking something God has done and making an idol out of it.

They had made the object the source rather than simply a contact point.  They had made the symbol their reality.  We create formulas and rituals out of experiences and elevate the ritual or item to the level of God or above God.

We must never relegate God to a formula, a ritual, a practice, or even a mode of prayer.   He is God!   The visible symbols only point us to Him; they do not possess the magic quality to bring about His purposes or promises.

We are creatures of habit and creatures of the visible.  God is the God of the invisible.  We see Him through the symbols, but the symbols are not Him; they only point to Him and are often temporary reminders, not rigid additions to our practice.

That subject needs our full attention.   But since there is neither space nor time here, suffice it to say – NEVER allow any symbol, experience, practice, or place to become an idol.   Focus solely and only on God.  Matthew 6:33 – God first, God second, God third, God is to be our ALL.

If we focus on God and keep the symbols in their place (reminders that point to Him), we will not get sidetracked by the devil and crippled by idolatry.   Only God!   God only!

Beware of allowing the enemy to shift our focus from God to the object, event, or pattern.  That act of burning incense opened the door to other demonic invasions and created their problems.  It’s time to cleanse the heart and clear the land!

We are to be free and victorious through Jesus.  His blessings are NEW every morning.  Welcome today’s blessings, and tomorrow, NEW blessings will come.

I pray for you to discover that which God approves and do it today!