12. My Idolatry!

“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.”
Proverbs 12:1

How often I have hated Your correction, provoking You to chastise me more. But You never chastise more than is absolutely necessary, for You are loving and full of mercy, You do not delight in evil but rejoice in truth. You discipline me as much as I need until I turn from my sin and return to You. Yet I remain stubborn and prideful, and You break me of my stupidity lest I become one who hates You. But I do not hate You Lord, no, but the opposite, I love You and Your law is good. In all patience, doing whatever was needed to break this mule, You have taken Your time to lead me into perfection with You. Not that I am perfect or perfectly broken, but that You are Perfect and You poor Yourself on me filling my spirit with Your goodness. Thank You.

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Colossians 3:5

“...and how you turned to God, and idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10

Jesus, God of my redemption, I can not wrap my mind around Your love; it is beyond the realms of my understanding. If I commit fornication, if I covet, if I do anything that is in rebellion to Your word I commit idolatry. Any time I choose to follow my opinion or emotions instead of Your holy word, than I worship myself and become an idolater. Yet You, Lord are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy (Psalm 103:8). What mercy You have shown this idolater! Thank You! Jesus capture the eyes of my heart and redirect my focus, from and inward selfish man of idolatry into a man after Your own heart and entirely devoted to the service of You my King. You can do all things, it is You who has brought me to where I am now, and You will lead me further still until I am taken home to be with You. Draw me unto sanctification, make me Yours; a devoted solder for the sake of the Cross. Thank You, Thank You, … Thank You.