Cutting Out Bad Habits Which Ensnare
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 12:29-31 (NASB)
29 “When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, 30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31 You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God, for every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
SUMMARY
Moses warns the Israelites that once God destroys the Canaanites and allows the Israelites to take over the land, to beware that they do not follow the Canaanites ways. He warns the Israelites not to inquire about how the Canaanites worshipped their gods because they did so through abominable acts, such as burning their sons and daughters.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
As I reflected on this passage, I noticed that it talks about restrictions we have, even after a victorious moment, such as what the Israelites were going to encounter after they settled into their Promised Land. In verse 29-30, it mentions that victory that the Lord gives to us, also means that certain things will need to end, "when the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations....beware that you are not ensnared to follow them". It made me think about the fact that victory also means sacrifice, even with God leading. I think a lot of times I think that if God is involved, he will make the process easy and I won't have to give up anything, but through this passage, I was reminded that God does not necessarily give the victory to me without me being obedient to his ways, or giving up some of my own old habits.
In this passage, it shows that God is not pleased by violent or extreme acts, such as what the Canaanites offered to their gods in "abominable acts" such as burning their sons and daughters. Similarly, the changes I need to make as I follow God are not sacrifices that are huge or very noticeable, because those might not come from a pure place. It can be something small, but done with the intention of following him instead of following the ways of the world. I was reminded not to follow the ways of the world, or to act in the same way as them, but to be a leader under his guidance.
APPLICATION
God knows the human heart is very uncertain, and decisions and actions are often defined by the past, or what we saw modeled for us. I hope that I can break free from past patterns and pursue what is godly instead. It's easy to want to follow the same route that feels familiar and not have to create my own new path, but just like God "cut off" the nations, I also need to identify and cut off ways that are not leading me closer to Him. Through following his commands I can become certain and sure that my actions are aligned with him instead of my own desires, or in order to get praise from people.
I often think that if I had a different job in a ministry field that I could serve him more, or that I will be of use to him if I can do bigger things to show his name to others. However, I realized through today's QT, that it is not through others, but my own personal obedience to him and his words and commandments that really matter. This week, I will work on my habits that need to be changed or cut off in order to align with him, even if it means that I do things differently than my friends and it is not in my typical routine. I will stop going on my phone after I get ready for bed, and as a result, sleeping late. I will focus on trying to get rest so that I can spend time with God in the morning instead. I will stop looking online to see what people are talking about on the news and their perspective on what is going on nowadays. I will focus more on what God is saying and His Word instead.
PRAYER
Dear God, please give me the faith and trust to know that when you cut something off, it is for a reason. Help me not to think of ways to go back to my old patterns, and know that bad habits are actually a snare to keep me from getting closer to you. I pray that as I focus on spending time in your word this week that you will show me more of your way and help me to follow you instead of my usual routine. Help me not to form my life according to what other people do, but according to how you say to live. I pray that you will show me more of the habits I need to change and adjust along the way.
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