2 Chronicles 11

“From all the tribes of Israel, those who sincerely wanted to worship the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem, where they could offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.” (2 Chronicles 11:16, NLT)

The atmosphere in the northern kingdom of Israel had become so hostile that the people could no longer tolerate living there. Jeroboam had made goat-idols (demons) in Bethel (south) and Dan (north). He and his sons rejected the Levites and prevented them from serving as priests to the LORD. Therefore, the Levites left the land of their possession and migrated southward to Judah, and the people who wanted to serve the LORD followed them. They sacrificed much personally in order to offer sacrifices to the LORD. They determined that they would not participate with the people of Israel in sacrificing to demons.

There comes the point where we must choose whom we will serve. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

“The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:20–21, NIV)

For us, this is not a problem of physical location but of spiritual attitude. There is no longer a physical temple. Rather, we are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). In whatever location we live, we can choose to faithfully serve the LORD, or we can follow the pagan world in serving demons. But God is jealous for His people, and He will not permit us to worship demons.

Because our world is increasingly pagan, we must take a stand or else we will compromise and lose the power of our witness.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” (Matthew 5:13, NKJV)

It cost the people to leave their neighbors, their homes, and the land of their inheritance to go serve the LORD in a new place. But consequently, they were able to strengthen the kingdom of Judah. Their witness had a profound influence on Rehoboam for three years. Sadly, Rehoboam did not continue walking in the way of the LORD.

Have we set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts? (1 Peter 3:14) Or have we compromised with the pagan culture so that we are indistinguishable from the world? May God help us to be the salt He has called us to be and stand for righteousness. May we wholeheartedly serve the LORD regardless of the cost and strengthen those around us to worship the LORD alone. There is so little time and so much to do!