Thorns and Idols

Thorns and idols are the two things that separate us from God. Jeremiah 4:1 says, “If you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more.” And then verse 3 says, “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Don't waste your good seeds among thorns.” God always wants us to stay by His side. Why do we wander away from Him? What makes us do so? According to the above verses, it is the idols we have. What are our idols? Our possessions? Our relationships? Our dreams? Our addictions? What is occupying God's place in our hearts?

Next, we have thorns. In the Gospels, we have the parables which clearly tell us about thorns that are worldly worries that separate us from God. In the above verse 3, God is talking about our hearts as a hard ground. A hard ground is like that because it is never into receiving the water regularly. God's Word, the seed, is in our hearts. Are we allowing, submitting to the Holy Spirit to work on those to bring fruit and life, or are we leaving it hard enough to lose the seed itself? No worldly worries, worldly riches are worthy enough to lose our growth in our prayer life, in our spiritual life.

Hey friend, read Jeremiah chapter 4, verse 22. It says, “My people are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right.” Are we losing our ability to do the right things, to make right choices? Let's examine. Romans 16:19 says, “Be excellent on what is good, be innocent of evil.” How are we? May God help us to cherish the good seeds He puts in us. May we continue to grow in Him. May we be excellent in everything He desires us to be.

Dear God, thank You for Your words. You have been so good to us; You are teaching us and helping us to walk in Your ways. May we grow in excellence in doing what is good before You. May we not be concerned about worldly worries or riches, but may we choose to grow in You every day. May we cherish Your ever-loving presence every day. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.