Do We Abandon God For Other gods?

When I read (2 Chronicles 7) about Israel’s history, I can’t help but think about all nations and all people. Israel had the presence of God dwelling in their temple. He constantly showed up. He answered prayers. When Israel started to worship other gods, which came about because of the inter-marrying of the pagans they were supposed to destroy their pagan practices, but instead started to follow, God had enough. He sent them into exile. He specifically told Solomon that if they kept the decree and followed Him like his father David did, then He would kept a descendent on the throne (which God did even though Solomon didn’t keep his end of the agreement). Israel has suffered shame and ridicule ever since. As a matter of fact, they still suffer to this day. They are always on someone’s radar to be attacked. They are always hated by many people. Why? God answers this right here in chapter 7v22. The reason is because they abandoned God and worshipped other gods. In modern times, there is a mosque where the Temple was in Jerusalem. Does this sound like they are still doing what God told them not to? Now, taking this example and applying it to our own life, do we abandon God for other gods? Maybe not actual statue gods, but what about Modern day things we treat more important than God? Money? Fame? The perfect body? Beauty? Status? Relationships? A great job? A big house? The perfect family? Likes on social media? Have you abandoned God for these pursuits? I know America has. I know we have been given over to our own depraved minds. We have abandoned God and substituted other gods in His place. If America wants to fix this “me first” mentality, we have to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Then, He will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and restore our land. Israel hasn’t done this, but we can. God is faithful to His Word. Jesus is on the throne, a descendent of Solomon. If God keeps His promises, shouldn’t we at least be honest enough to honor His blessings by following Him? It’s a matter of life or death isn’t it? We all have a choice. In either case the consequences will follow. As for me, I choose Jesus, for He is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.

12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy–a place where My name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to My heart.17 “As for you, if you faithfully follow Me as David your father did, obeying all My commands, decrees, and regulations, 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.’19 “But if you or your descendants abandon Me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, 20 then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor My name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. 21 And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’22 “And the answer will be, ‘Because His people abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why He has brought all these disasters on them.’ ” 2 Chronicles 7:12-22