FAITH CAPSULE: Disconnect self from other god, stay focus on God.

Numbers 25

When God is not the center of man’s life, self or other god shall become the center of man’s life. What kind of god have you joined self to worship as god? Today, be vigilant not to join any other god but focus on One and only God the creation of all. Joining any other god besides the One and true God of gods is renouncing the Almighty God who is above every other god. Without doubt, joining any other god is an evidence of despising God to join a god that does not have life.
During the journey of Israelites to Promised Land, their stop over at Acacia Grove was the time they joined another god. It is written, “Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.  So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel. (Numbers 25:1-3) The children of Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor. Israelites assigned themselves to another god; the commandment of God was no longer relevant to them; they began to go after a god that they could touch rather than to remain committed to the God with deliverance touch. Baal of Peor was the god worshiped in Moab and that made the children of Israel committed to harlotry, sacrificing other gods and bowing down to gods outside of the God with outstretch hand for their deliverance. What or who have you joined yourself to? Consciously or unconsciously, have you entered a life that is gradually taking you outside of the way of the One and only true God?
Israelites’ joined to another god was a demonstration of departing God their delivering God. Israelites departed from God provoked God against Israelites. It is written, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the LORD, out in the sun that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.” (Numbers 25:4) It is true that every time we step outside of His word of command and return to Him for forgiveness, there is always forgiveness, but consequence is certain. Truly, it is not worthy to come out of God’s word into world’s word. Joining to another god is jumping into pain because consequences will always come with long lasting pain. Consequence is the reason to remain constant and consistence to be walking in God’s word. Do not join to other god outside of the living God of creation.
Israelites joining to Baal of Peor was a serious sin with painful consequence which took many lives. The Bible recorded, “And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.” (Numbers 25:9) Israelites testified that joining another god is a devastating act of sin which God does not tolerate. Disconnect self from other god, stay focus on God.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to remain focus and not join any other god.