READING: 1 Chronicles 5:18-26; 1 Chronicles 6:3, 49, 4-15; 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:28
It’s only a single line in today’s readings largely filled with names, but the Word has again halted me to meditate on it and consider my own heart. The text is about the half-tribe of Manasseh and their breaking faith with the Lord. Regardless of the version of the Bible we use, the picture of their unfaithfulness in 1 Chronicles 5:25 is both dramatic and undeniable:
- “But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land.” (ESV)
- “But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They prostituted themselves with the gods of the nations.” (CSB)
- “But they were untrue to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves with the gods of the peoples of the land.” (NASB)
- “And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land.” (NKJ)
I am reminded first today that my heart can lean toward idolatry, too. I have my own gods that sometimes seem quite drawing. My choice to follow them, though—even in a brief moment of rebellion—is not just an act of disobedience. It is breaking my covenant and commitment to the God who loves me and saved me. It is spiritual prostitution—and my hope lies only in the fact that God graciously keeps His hand on me.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How do you view your own rebellion against God?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, help me to be fully faithful to You alone today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Chronicles 8:29-9:1, Daniel 4:1-37, Ezekiel 40:1-37