SMASHING ALTARS
Today's reading: 2 Kings 21-25

"The king also tore down the altar at Bethel, the pagan shrine that Jeroboam son of Nebat had made when he led Israel into sin. Josiah crushed the stones to dust and burned the Asherah pole." 2 Kings 23:15 NLT

It wasn't enough in king Josiah's time to tear down the altar or just to say no one should visit it anymore, just like it's not now.

Pagan altars left as is draw us back.

They lure us to old ways, comfortable practices, same-seeking friends.

They hold spots of sentimentality in our hearts.

They are part of our tradition.

They take on many, many forms.

They are what we served, worshiped and bowed to--before we bowed our hearts and souls to God.

We don't need those old altars any more.

Altars to the little gods of our past need to be torn down, smashed to bits and completely destroyed, so they won't call out to us...drawing us from God.