The Wrong Way

You are a slave to whatever has mastered your heart. 

“Now a man named Micah...said to his mother...I solemnly consecrate my silver to the Lord for my son to make an image...he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. A young Levite from Bethlehem...left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim. Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. And Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.” Judges 17:1, 3, 5-8, 12-13 

Have you ever done tried to manipulate God by doing something that looks good? Micah did what he thought was right but nothing he did was truly righteous. He did what was right in his own eyes, he did what he wanted not what God wanted. God says do not make any idols but Micah justified his own actions by saying he was dedicating it to God. 

We live in a world that loves to tell people they can do whatever they want. How many people just say do what makes you happy? The text says that people did as they pleased. Micah does what he does to get what he wants from God rather than living for and with God. Solomon said in proverbs there is a way that seems right to people, but in the end it leads to death. 

How are you doing? Are you more like Micah or are you making Jesus the center of your life? There can only be one person on the throne of your heart. Either you or God. It's not a two seater. 

“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth...tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him...they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law. They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved...for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.” Psalms 78:1-32

When you look at a map you might think that all roads lead to the same destination. They do not. Jesus said narrow is the road that leads to life and broad is the road that leads to destruction. Following Jesus involves making choices of which way you will go. Not all roads lead to everlasting life.

David sang of what to do and what not to do. He said listen to God, teach and share, remember and tell others of the ways and wonders of God. He also said not everyone will go the right way. Many did what they wanted and pursued what they craved. What do you desire most? Is it intimacy with God and sharing the signs you have seen on the redemptive road or are your prayers centered in what you want personally? 

“Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.”

Proverbs 24:1-27

God wants to fill your house with rare and beautiful treasures. He wants to give you the pearl of great price that comes in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The question is, what do you want? We can say we want Jesus, but what do our actions say? What does our calendar or our checkbook say about what we desire? Jesus said it is the son who does what his father asks, not the one who says he will, that is the one considered faithful.  

Solomon says, pursue wisdom, pursue understanding, pursue how you can apply what God teaches to your life and see his power at work. The fear of the Lord is beginning of understanding. When we recognize how God is the only one with the perspective to see the path that leads to eternal life then we learn to submit to His guidance. Seek wisdom! Jesus says he can you will find.  

Micah did not want wisdom. He wanted to do what he wanted. He was wise in his own eyes. Solomon says there is an order of operations that matters. First, you have to get your heart right then you build your house. Jesus said the same thing about the soil of our hearts.  

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy...His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength" Habakkuk 3:2-4, 18-19

Habakkuk shows the opposite of the failure we saw in Micah. Instead of following his own way, or forgetting like in psalm 78, he remembers and repeats the what he knows about God. He is intentional instead of drifting, he stands firm. One of the best ways to remember is to write down and repeat what happens each day. Mark Batterson said the shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory. Are you taking time to record, journal, and capture all the ways that God is faithful to you? How much time do you spend on social media or watching something on television compared with the amount of time you spend remembering God? This is not meant ot be an exercise that produces guilt, rather it is an invitation to go on the road that leads you closer to God. 

Whether you believe in Jesus or not, whether you will listen to God's laws or not, all creation points to an incredible Creator God who is worthy of praise. When Habakkuk is not sure of which way to go, he remembers and rejoices in the truth that God is his Savior and strength. How can you hold onto the hope in which you have throughout the day as you travel on your way?

“Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute...these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals...With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable...They have left the straight way...These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.””

2 Peter 2:2, 12, 14-15, 17-19 

Peter repeatedly talks about the way of truth versus people who walk their own way. It's striking to consider this passage in light of the verses from judges about Micah. Life is a lot more of a path we walk in right alignment with God's ways than doing what we want. Micah made his own religion but he was not right with God. 

Jesus always brings things back to our hearts. Proverbs says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Commit your ways to him, and he will make your path straight. Is there anywhere in your life where you are leaning on your own understanding rather than submitting and surrendering to Jesus?

Our external actions all flow from the internal orientation our hearts. Peter says you must actively remember, pursue, and practice truth, or your heart and the world around you will quietly redefine it. Today is a day to re-orient, reposition and repent. Repent of the ways in what you've gone on your own way and turned to Jesus. 

We are always only one step away from finding peace, aligning our ways to the perfect way of Jesus, and stepping into the life of purpose that He has prepared for us. Take a step today in the right direction and you will see signs that will be worthy of rejoicing by the Savior who wants to strengthen you.