During the early years of Samuel, Israel’s last judge, the people of Israel recaptured the ark of the Lord from the Philistines.
But feeling guilty that they had allowed it to be conquered in the first place, they hid it away like a box in the attic. They continued to live without God’s guidance and complained about their problems, and yes, blamed God.
“It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the Lord. And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, ‘If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.'”
Guilt–yes, guilt can be an idol. Anything is an idol to us if it holds first place in our lives.
Guilt can separate us from a Loving God who simply wants to forgive us and protect us. When we feel distant from God, we often blame Him for our problems instead of seeking His guidance and strength.
If we truly want to return to the Lord, we must ask God to help us “dethrone” the guilt that weighs heavy on our hearts and accept the love that God alone can give.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane