SUBSTITUTES

Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"He ransacked the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace and stole everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. Afterward Rehoboam made bronze shields as substitutes..."  1Kings 14:26-27 NLT

Did the people in the Temple know substitutes had been replaced? Did they notice a difference in the shine or in the glimmer? Had they even noticed the shields before or missed them now?

What about us?

If God's Word were substituted in our churches, would we notice?

If the preacher began quoting, say Benjamin Franklin, instead of the Bible--would we recognize the difference?

If godliness were substituted by service, would we catch on?

If commitment were dismissed and intention applauded, would we even see it?

Let's watch within our individual churches to make sure we, or anyone within its walls, are not attempting to make substitutes in the place of God's commands, desires and glory!