Surrogate Spirituality

Daily Reading: Hosea 13

You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper.  Where is your king that he may save you? (Hosea 13.9-10, NIV)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever gotten what you want, only to regret it?  I know I have.  Sometimes what we want and what we need are different things.  Sometimes what we want does us more harm than good. 

Early in Israel’s national history, they asked for a king.  Their frequent struggles to stay focused on God had resulted in periods of spiritual decline and political oppression.  In those times of subjection, they invariably returned to God, but not until they had paid a steep price in freedom and security.  If only they could keep from their backslidings, then they would not suffer so.  While that was true, their proposed solution was not ideal.  They had thought if they had a king – “like the nations around us” – then they would not be subject to those periods of wandering away from God.  They were going to depend on the king as their helper, to keep them walking in the way of God.

But it didn’t work.  It never does:

·       Admittedly, it was not too bad when the king was faithful to God, but when the king was himself backslidden, then he led the nation away from God.  If you’re following somebody, you better make sure you want to go where they’re headed! 

·       Surrogate spirituality is doomed to failure.  Following God requires hands-on commitment and effort.  Can you imagine trying to have a strong marriage by going through mediators, letting them spend time with and enjoy the company of your beloved?  Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?  Yet, that is what surrogate spirituality attempts.

Jesus told his disciples that the indwelling Holy Spirit would be their Helper.  Instead of surrogate spirituality, let's trust what Jesus said and be filled with the Spirit!

Prayer: Jesus, I have only one King.  It is you.  You are my Savior and my Lord, my Helper and my Strength.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 85.8-13

" Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way."