Remove your high places and cling!

Taken from 2 Kings 18, the following passage describes King Hezekiah and I think we all can learn a huge lesson from his life!

He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done.

He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah.

He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.

He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him.
For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him,

but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.

And the LORD was with him; wherever he went he prospered

What are the high places in your life? A high place is anything or anyone you put above God in importance. Here's some modern day examples: TV, Cars, Clothing, Jewelry, A boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, A house, youth, beauty, alcohol, drugs, sex, money, partying, movie stars, etc... (Just ask yourself what do you think about most of the time?)

What is the bronze serpent in your life? Anything that is a substitute for God. Anything or anyone you depend on instead of God. The thing or the person you run to when you have a problem. The thing or person in whom you put your security and you depend on and rely on the most. Here's some modern day examples: bank account, stock market, relationships, fame, your personality, your looks, etc.. (Just ask yourself what or who do you run to when you are in trouble? What do you do to get yourself out of trouble?)

If you answered the above questions with anything but God, I encourage you to do what Hezekiah did and remove the high places in your life and break apart the serpent. They are a lie from the pit of hell. They can't help you. They can't save you. They will only cause you grief.

Then...

Trust in the Lord

Cling to the Lord

Obey His commandments

Then you'll prosper wherever you go. It's so simple, isn't it?

I love the word Cling. (To stick to, to hold tight by grasping or embracing; to cleave, to be or remain close)

Recently some issues in my family have really brought me down. Have you ever felt battle-weary, confused, discouraged about a particular situation? Something you've been praying about for years? Sometimes all you can do is Cling to God and trust in Him. At those times, I picture myself on my knees grabbing onto His cloak and never letting go. And usually it's when I do that that I hear His voice all the more clearly saying, "Trust me", and a magnificent peace covers me.

I know that I know that I know that if I tear down the high places in my life and break apart the serpent and put my trust in God and obey Him, and then just cling to Him because at that point I simply don't know what else to do, then He will prosper me. He will come through for me! Turn to Him, try it out, and see!