RTW 2022

Uriah followed the king’s instructions and built an altar just like it, and it was ready before the king returned from Damascus.
2 Kings 16:11

Often the battle I’m engaged in or trouble I’m experiencing is the Lord humbling me, not Satan out to get me.

The LORD was humbling Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, for he had encouraged his people to sin and had been utterly unfaithful to the LORD.
2 Chronicles 28:19

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n times of trouble, the altar of the lesser gods:

• turn our heads when we are least expecting it, especially in times of trouble.
  King Ahaz then went to Damascus to meet with King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria. While he was there, he took special note of the altar. Then he sent a model of the altar to Uriah the priest, along with its design in full detail.
  2 Kings 16:10
• offer protection and victory.
  He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, for he said, “Since these gods helped the kings of Aram, they will help me, too, if I sacrifice to them.” But instead, they led to his ruin and the ruin of all Judah.
  2 Chronicles 28:23

“This explains why many churches today put their trust in the tools, techniques, and principles of worldly success: They think the gods of Damascus will give them victory.” – David Guzik

Ahaz removed and replaced the things of God (2 Kings 16:14-18) and sacrificed to the lesser gods on an altar he created.

The bottom in, Ahaz:

• aligned himself with the king of Assyria.
  Didn’t believe God. (See Isaiah 7:3-7 from June 23)
• took treasures from the Temple of God to secure Judah’s protection.
  Didn’t trust God.
• replaced the altar of Yahweh with the altar of lesser gods.
  Didn’t respect God.

The moment we remove and make replacements of the things of God to the altars of lesser gods we lose our independence.

• We are subject to that or to whom we submit ourselves.
• What heathen have I allowed into the holy?

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Keep my eyes on Yahweh. Keep myself on His altar, and I won’t be looking at another one.