high places

They also set up for themselves high places, sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree.  1 Kings 14:23

The high places were altars to pagan gods, particularly Baal, that lured the people of God away from worshipping in the temple that God had ordained built in Jerusalem.  People found it convenient not to have to trek to the temple where their worship would be overseen by priests.  They wanted gods who wouldn’t hold them accountable.  And Baal filled the bill. 

So, where do we turn for help today?  Do we look to Adonai who is our true help and protection, who created us and made everything around us, all humanity and this beautiful world? God Almighty who made us to be stewards of the earth and to care for others in a way that puts their needs above our own? 

Yahweh promises to watch over us, to protect us from all danger, both day and night, to keep us from every form of evil or calamity.  So, where is He now?  As we watch people climbing to the high places of political power, worshiping at the altar of cultish politicians, why isn’t God smiting us and saving the poor, the displaced, the hungry?  How do I hold onto faith in God’s justice in the face of injustice perpetrated in the name of God?

I hang on by reminding myself that God’s people waited in exile for hundreds of years.  The people of Israel waited eons for their messiah.  They continue to wait, even though there will never be a kinder, more gentle and compassionate messiah than Jesus.  And the church has waited two millennia for Jesus to return, to bring that perfect Shalom that we long for, that universal flourishing that we should be working for--not just my comfort and well-being, but the welfare of all mankind.  Instead of attacking our enemies and deporting those different from us, shouldn’t we be loving and protecting, and praying for even those who persecute us?

Maybe we don’t really want the love, faithfulness and justice of God to be made manifest, because we might suspect that the harshest judgement will be aimed at us. 

Lord, help us.  Be our glory, Father.  Be the glory that shines forth from beginning to end. 

Love, Liz

“You are the highest in all of the days.  Teach us to care for the world that You made…Idols made up of silver and gold never comfort the soul.” 
                                                                               Psalm 115 by Grace Pasadena

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