The High Places

Also the children of Israel secretly did against the Lord their God things that were not right, and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from watchtower to fortified city.  They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree, and there they burned incense on all the high places, as the nations had done whom the Lord had carried away before them; and they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger.  

Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, namely every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants, the prophets.  

Nevertheless, they would not hear, but stiffened their necks.  2 Kings 17:7-14

The children of Israel had a really big problem with idols; they had God Himself in their midst; but they continually went back to melting gold and worshiping calves, stars, the moon, ect.  This time God had enough; all twelve tribes were given over to another kingdom.  Judah was the last tribe that worshiped God but at the same time they were worshiping idols.  All through the Old Testament I have read of the "high places"; in reference to idol worship.  A good king would come along and maybe take down some of the high places, but never all of them.  

I think of our country and how at one time Christians had the opportunity to take down some of the "high places" that were starting to crop up.  But where were they?  The Christians...God's children?  So now I'm living in a time where sin is considered the norm, political correctness has taken over common sense and our faith is being attacked.  But where are the Christians?  Why aren't we congregating at the churches on our knees vowing to take down the "high places" in the name of Christ.  How have we come to the point where a plastic baby Jesus can incite those who oppose our faith; and we take it down...put it up because we don't want to offend?  

Maybe we need to start with the "high places" within our own lives first.  What things are keeping us from totally being devoted to our God?  What keeps drawing us back time and time again to things that distract us?  Your "high place" is different from mine; but until we get things taken care of in our own hearts...the "high places" will continue to exist and expand in the America that at one time put her trust in God.