WORSHIPPING AT THE HIGH PLACES

[tomdurst]

WORSHIPPING AT THE HIGH PLACES

2 Chronicles 20:31-33 (New International Version)

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign

31 So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. 33 The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

The history of God's original chosen people is given to us as an example to look at and as a warning not to follow in their footsteps. Notice that although Johosphaphat was a good king that "The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers." The thorough spiritual work that should have been done was not done and in the end Israel utterly failed to fulfill God's purposes for them and were taken into Babylonian captivity. The reason is clearly stated in 1 Chronicles 9:1 and 2 Chronicles 36:16. Look these verses up and ponder them.

The problem with God's chosen people was that their hearts were not set on God as first and foremost. They still frequented "the high places" which were places of very gross heathen worship.

I think the most essential warning for us today is that anything which occupies more place in our daily lives and thoughts than God does is an idol, a "high place"--higher than God to us. As we do that we separate ourselves from our very Source of Life and suffer accordingly. When we get tired of the consequences of our idolatry we may turn to God but oftentimes it is of short duration and we go back to our fixation upon the popular modern idols which are numberless. I'm convinced that the enemy has been very successful in robbing multitudes of Christians of their spiritual power by the many distractions of our times, number 1 of which is electronic addictions but there are many others. Many Christians would cringe at partaking of excessive alcohol or harmful drugs but yet freely indulge in excessive eating which blunts their minds and greatly hinders them from hearing from God. The list of idols is endless and only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us individually what are our favorite ones. Grace is provided in abundance to overcome all things through Christ Who lives in us.


Nowhere can we get to know the holiness of God, and come under His influence and power, except in the inner chamber. It has been well said: "No man can expect to make progress in holiness who is not often and long alone with God."
- Andrew Murray