Repentance from idolatry in the heart
The one time I heard God speak audibly was not pleasant. I was crushed from the week-long bootcamp with the Lifeway First Wave Army. My body thought it was dying and my soul wallowed in a strange cocktail of self-pity and pride. This week of bootcamp felt like 6-months, but I still had 6-months stretching out in front of me. The hardest part was being separated from my 3-year-old boy, which seem to cause physical torment.
I’d been boasting about the sacrifice I’d made leaving my son with my parents for 6-months to do the training. Out of the blue, I heard God speak audibly in my ear.
“So, you think you’ve sacrificed so much, leaving Roq for a little while, and keep harping on about how much you’ve given up. What if I asked you to leave Roq with your parents for good, so you can do My work?”
I knew I couldn’t mess with God, or give a superficial answer. I had to really go there… and decide. Could I lay my son on the altar like Abraham did with Isaac, and sacrifice him for the Lord? It took me a full five minutes to come to terms with the concept, and genuinely agree to it, or not. Oblivious to the company in the van, I gave Him my answer. Out loud.
“Okay…”
The second it came out of my mouth, I heard God’s answer.
“Good. Now you won’t have to.”
I let go a large sigh of deep relief. God had tested me, and I had passed, by His grace alone. I was grateful for the test. It changed me. It made me realise I had made an idol out of my son. I was grateful the Lord snapped me out of it early, as the longer idol worship is allowed to continue, the harder it falls.
The first commandment is no joke. “You shall have no other gods before Me,” (Exodus 20:3 NIV). Idolatry was the number one problem in Israel’s early days, and it remains the number one problem now. It just looks different these days, but it still offends God and gets in the way of our communion with Him. As we are now on the fast-track of the end of days and all that entails, now more than ever we must position our hearts to have direct and clear communication with our Lord. Our lives could depend on being in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing, and relying upon Him only.
It’s time now more than ever to examine our hearts in the light of the Holy Spirit and honestly repent if we have allowed our focus or motives to shift out from under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and what His father is doing. Some helpful questions… Who am I serving with this? Who called it? Who am I relying on? Where am I investing my time, money, talents, expertise etc. Why? Would I die, or deny? Now is the time to judge ourselves, lest we be judged by God (1 Cor 11:31).
I have just had to repent of a few new idols in my life, and it’s a process (ongoing). It feels painful, but it feels good. It’s freeing. It makes things so simple. It’s not about me, it’s all about Him. I have nothing to lose anymore (except my life, Rev 12:11) and everything to gain. It’s a big step forward towards being ready for what’s coming. He gave it all for us. The least we can do is give it all back to Him. He loves us too much to see us fall short of the glory of God.
Two of the most vital messages for the body of Christ in this moment is this one from Terry Somerville (Total Change Ministries, Canada). The second one is this Lance Wallnau interview with Mario Murillo. I urge you to make the time to watch them both, and the time to prepare the way for the Lord. Make the rough places smooth. Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Let’s pray:
Father, I come to you in Jesus mighty name. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psa 139:23-24). What agreement does the temple of God (me) have to do with idols? (2 Cor 6:16). Father, I truly repent from my idolatry in the area/s of …………………….. and surrender this area of my life to You. I offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You, Lord (Rom 12:1). Father, help me to deny myself and take up my cross and follow You. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for You will find it. What good will it be for me to gain the whole world, yet forfeit my soul? (Matt 16:24-26). Father, help me heed the voice of one calling in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God, (Isa 40:3). Amen
If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and saviour, pray:
“Lord, I surrender my life to You. I ask forgiveness for my sins. By faith I receive the gift of eternal life. I ask that You baptise me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for setting everything right between You and me. Show me the way forward with You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Congratulations, you’ve just made the most important decision of your life. Now ask God to show you a good church to be a part of, and to bring the right people around you, and He will.
If you’re not sure, and want to know if God is real, pray this (even quietly in your heart):
“God, if you’re real, show Yourself to me.”
Janet xox
Hear my story in podcast with Megan McChesney, Back from the Abyss
Visit janetbalcombe.com to learn more about my books, other blogs, or to connect with me. To see what else I’m up to, visit: wildsidetrust.org, wildsideministries.com and wildsidedesign.net
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! -2 Corinthians 5:17
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. -Romans 12:2
Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. -Ephesians 4:22-24