Daily PresenceSample

2 Kings 14-16 is filled with another series of up and down, honoring and rebelling moments for the nation of Israel and her leaders. Inside the story of Uzziah’s reign is a gripping glimpse into the character of God and how He views the “leftover” sin in our lives.

Today at lunch I was telling a friend my story about fasting coffee for thirty days. I called it, “A month in hell.” Literally, it was. It all started when I was discussing my unconditional love for the bean water when this sentence came out of my mouth: “I can do without a lot of things, but I can’t live without coffee.” The moment that sentence came out of my mouth the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “It’s time to fast coffee.” Surely this was just me being under-caffeinated! Another cup should straighten out my mind, but every time the nectar from God graced my lips, I sensed the same conviction.

Finally, I fasted coffee for thirty days. I’m happy to report my marriage is still intact and all my kids are still alive… barely. There wasn’t anything wrong with coffee, but there was something wrong with my addiction to it rising to a place of me declaring my life was over without it. Once I finished the fast I felt a freedom from coffee that allowed me to reintroduce it healthily. I still drink too many cups a day, but I can live without it.

False idol worship was much the same during the reforms of Israel. Many would adopt Christianity but did not stop their pagan offerings. As new kings would rise to power their handling of these addictions would determine their longevity in God’s kingdom. For Uzziah, he did some good things, but he failed to remove the old worship rituals that still remained in the culture (15:3-5). The results? He was afflicted with leprosy until he died.

It doesn’t matter if it’s coffee or pagan worship, if it’s taking the place that God should have in your life, it’s got to go. Today is a great day to take an inventory and remove some of the things that have hung around for too long. The freedom that awaits us is worth it!