2 Kings 16:2-4
Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

It’s not that people lack commitment and devotion. It’s that often people choose to be committed and devoted to things that are an abomination to God. The key statement about almost every king of Israel was that they “departed not from the sins of Jeroboam.” For Judah, some of the kings were faithful to God and some turned aside to the sins of Israel or the people around them and followed their gods and their practices, forsaking God in the process.

We can face the same problem, even as believers in Christ. It is often not that we lack the ability to be devoted and faithful, but we choose instead to commit ourselves to lesser things. It may not look like a completely different god or an idol as in the days of the kings. We may not build a strange altar or bow before some golden statue. But what is it that we are pursuing with our time and energy? What has first place in our hearts and lives that may have displaced Christ Himself?

People today pursue careers, hobbies, sports, fame and fortune, and a multitude of other things with a singular devotion and passion. People are committed to all kinds of causes and movements that they think will bring about some greater good. People around the world go through the motions of religious devotion day after day. But often truly following God and being committed to Him becomes secondary. Is there something that has pushed God out of the  most prominent place in our lives? And are we willing to make whatever changes are necessary to let go of things that keep us from fully following God with our utmost passion and devotion?