Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

5 July 2024

Reading From II Kings 14 and II Chronicles 25

“In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.”

–II Kings 14:1-4

     The high places were quite literally elevated sites of worship such as a rise, hill or mountaintop where an altar would be built.  In this context these high places were being used to worship the pagan idols of the Canaanites and nations surrounding Israel, but there are other high places in Scripture that were associated with Yahweh.  Abraham built altars at Shechem, Hebron and Moriah, Jacob set up a pillar at Bethel, and Mount Sinai is where Moses met with God.  The ultimate high place was the temple mount itself, but these high places in II Kings 14 were locations were Israel committed spiritual adultery. 

     When we think of idolatry in ancient Israel, we must understand the healthy relationship that Yahweh desired to have with His people.  We cannot even scratch the surface of knowing His love for them, and that makes their unfaithfulness to Him all the more heartbreaking.  His dream was to be with them, right in their midst.  This is what the God of the universe wants with every human who has ever lived, but even still so many rebel and resist His advances. 

     Idolatry is adultery and yet throughout Scripture God is found yearning, pleading, welcoming, and making a way for His people to return to right relationship with Him.  He knows that when we give in to that wooing, His dream will come true and we will find ourselves more fulfilled than with anyone or anything else.  His eternal family is where we find who we are, our deepest sense of belonging, and our forever home.

“God, I pray that every single one of Your children will return to their first love.  I love You because You first loved me.  Thank You for Your love.  Thank You for wanting to be with me even when I fail You so many times and so miserably.  I love You Jesus.  Amen.”

But this I have against you, that you have forsaken your first love. Remember then from where you have fallen. Repent and do the deeds you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your menorah from its place—unless you repent.

–Revelation 2:4-5