RTW 2022

That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold.
1 Samuel 5:5

Some times it is easy to judge the people of they OT and difficult to relate to them. Today’s reading makes a straight line to Romans 1.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:21-23

So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. ²⁵ They traded the truth about God for a lie. So, they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Romans 1:24-25

Romans 1 NLT

• Satan makes it so enticing to worship the created rather than the Creator.
  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
  2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV)

• He’s crafty and makes it seem natural and normal.
  But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
  2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)

We can’t walk into our places of worship with idols. Like Dagon, every idol will eventually bow down to the One True God. They have no power and no wisdom.

• We can’t worship worship.
• We can’t worship service.
• We can’t worship our Pastor.

We must destroy all idols or they will bring destruction to us. God will not share His glory with another.

• My name is the LORD! I won’t let idols or humans share my glory and praise. Isaiah 42:28 (CEV)
  God doesn’t share, don’t ask or expect Him to.

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I’m not sure I knew that Samuel was considered a judge.

So, they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the LORD. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the LORD. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge.)
1 Samuel 7:6

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With what or who am I expecting God to share His glory? Careful, think about this. God doesn’t share, don’t ask Him to.