What Are We Consecrating Ourselves To? | A SOAP devotional, By Pastor Jamie
Hosea 9:1, 10, and 17- O people of Israel, do not rejoice as other nations do. For you have been unfaithful to your God, hiring yourselves out like prostitutes, worshiping other gods on every threshing floor. When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved. M y God will reject the people of Israel because they will not listen or obey. They will be wanderers, homeless among the nations. The truth is people consecrate themselves to all kinds of things and experiences all the time. An Olympic contestant sets him or herself apart to pursue excellence in some form of athletic endeavor. This is an act of consecration. A person who passionately pursues pleasure sets themselves apart, too. They are making a decision. The prophet Hosea told t...