False gods

Exodus 32:26; 28-29
So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me." And all the Levites rallied to him.

The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. ²⁹ Then Moses said, "You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day."


// THOUGHTS:

.. When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the 2 tablets of the 10 commandments the Lord has given to him, he saw that the people were already worshiping the golden calf they made out of gold.
.. Perhaps, the people could not wait any longer for Moses and just assumed that Moses would never come back anymore; or perhaps have died up in the mountain

>> The Levites:

.. A tribe who was set apart to be the ministers in the temple.
.. Have given up their lives in order to serve the Lord.
.. When Moses called up anyone who was FOR the Lord (while everyone else was running wild and out of control), the Levites were the ones who went up and obeyed
.. They did as Moses commanded
.. They were set apart because they were against their own relatives (sons and brothers) who were disobeying the Lord.
.. They were blessed for what they did

>> The Israelites (in general):

.. Could not wait for Moses to come down from his fasting up in the mountain
.. They could not wait for the Lord's Word for them, so they gave up and made gods to supposedly "go before them"
.. Aaron might have been also losing hope for waiting, so he allowed it to happen
.. Of course, this was a complete disobedience to the Lord; and the Lord was burning in anger for what they did

>> The Lord:

.. Hates the disobedience in people
.. Did not like that they could not wait for Moses to come back down with the 10 Commandments


// BELLE

.. At some point, I could not wait for some things I am waiting for - I got myself into trouble by getting in the way of God's work
.. But I've also realized that I am FOR the Lord (just like the Levites) - I desire to do the will of God in my life - so I had to give up these things (little gods that I tend to gravitate to - my selfish desires and things that at times I let it take control of my actions)
.. Just like the Levites, I must be willing to let go and run away from these false gods - things that may seem like it's "there for you" for the moment; something that may cause me to feel ok at the moment; something that may have made me feel confident and secure at some point, etc.
.. In reality, it may take me forever for the final Word of God to come down on me - to confirm things, to get things set in stone (just as the Israelites waited for a while for Moses), but if I am faithful and not allow any "false gods" to lure me into doing selfish things, I know the Lord will be pleased and His name will be glorified.
.. I will do everything to "rally" to the Lord - giving up everything even those that are close to me, and those that are under my control per se, and just obey the Lord totally. Not that I don't, but I admit I let my feelings take control of me at times. I must not do that at all.
.. My obedience to the Lord means to wait on His Word set in stone - His personal covenant with me - stretch my patience regardless how long He takes (not in my timing anyways); and to fully get rid and run away from the "false gods" that will make me feel good for a moment.

// Lord, these seem like a lot of things to do. But it all boils down to being fully obedient to You and Your Word. Help me be like the Levites who were able and willing to strip everything, to run away from the false gods, to "kill" things that might pull me to disobey and to walk in accordance to Your truth. Please guide me and lead me to do the right thing everyday. I will trust that Your timing is not any thing near my own understanding of time in my limited frame of mind. You are sovereign, and You know all things. I will trust in You! I will obey You with all that I am. In Jesus' name, amen.