Jeremiah 7:16-26
(Read the whole passage for more understanding)
(17-19) "Don't you see what they are doing [right] in the towns of Judah and in the [very] streets of Jerusalem? [The whole family gets involved:] The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes (wafers, like Communion wafers) to offer to the Queen of Heaven (a pagan idol). They pour out drink offerings to other gods to arouse My anger. But am I the One they're provoking? Aren't they rather [just] harming themselves, to their own shame?" --
(Some people today who consider themselves to be God's children, are lighting candles and praying to this pagan idol, the Queen of Heaven; they call her Mary. And they also pray to other "saints" instead of to God.)
(22-23) "I didn't just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey Me, and I will be your God and you will be My people. Walk (lifestyle) in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you." --
When we put any other person, thing or idea before or alongside God, then we are disobeying the First Commandment. And that harms ourselves, and it becomes shameful when we realize what we're doing.
But when we live our lives every day in a lifestyle of humility before Him, realizing that He is God and we are not, and in obedience to the principles God revealed to us in His Word, letting Him be the Lord, the Boss, over our thinking processes and actions; that will be to our benefit, the way He designed this World to run. And He gets the credit, the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
