The God You Didn’t Know You Chose
Image courtesy of : PierceDesigns
Devotional by J.Pierce
Read Time:
7-9 minute read
Prayer
"Yahweh, open our eyes. Strip away every false god we have unknowingly enthroned in our hearts. We come humbly, asking You to reveal the truth of who — or what — we’ve really been worshiping. Confront us, cleanse us, and lead us into a posture of holy worship. Let our hearts return fully to You. Speak, Father. We are listening. In the name of Yeshua, amen."
Introduction
You might think you’ve chosen Yahweh. But what if the god you truly serve isn’t the One you proclaim with your lips?
In a world full of distractions, comforts, and self-focus, it’s possible — even easy — to worship something other than Yahweh without realizing it. This devotional is a prophetic invitation to examine who your life actually bows to. Because, as Scripture warns: “Whatever you worship becomes your god.”
Scripture Exploration
Psalm 95:1–7 (NRSV)
“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!... O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!”
This psalm outlines a clear progression:
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Thanksgiving
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Praise
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Worship
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Hearing Yahweh’s voice
And right in the center of this journey is a crucial truth: “He is our God.” But how do we declare Him as God? Through true worship — not just songs, but surrender.
Deep Dive
The Hebrew word for worship is שָׁחָה (shachah), meaning to bow down, prostrate, revere (Strong’s H7812). Worship is not just singing; it’s a bodily and spiritual posture of surrender.
Worship isn’t simply an utterance of praise; it is an attitude that involves submission. Whatever we submit to — whether Yahweh, money, fear, comfort, control — becomes our god. If our devotion lies in things other than Yahweh, it will inevitably become our idol.
Paul warns in Philippians 3:19:
“Their god is their belly…” — meaning, their desires ruled them.
When we give our time, our trust, and our surrender to something other than Yahweh, we are, in effect, choosing that thing to be our god. It is a warning against idolatry, even in its more subtle forms.
Relatable Scenario:
Imagine you wake up and immediately check your phone — emails, social media, news. You feel anxious if you don’t. You say you trust Yahweh, but the first voice you listen to each day isn’t His. It’s the digital world.
Over time, this becomes a habit — and then, a form of worship. Not because you bowed in a temple, but because you gave your time, trust, and reverence to something other than Yahweh.
Core Message
Whatever receives your worship — your time, trust, and surrender — becomes your god. Choose wisely.
Life Stories
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David’s Default: David always returned to worship, even after sin. Psalm 51 shows that his heart belonged to Yahweh, not his failure. He knew who his God was — and repented to return to Him.
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The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18–25): He kept the commandments but walked away from Yeshua. Why? Because his true god was wealth, and he didn’t know it — until Yahweh asked for it.
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A Modern Testimony: A woman spent years volunteering in church, convinced she was serving Yahweh. But she realized her true god was approval — the feeling of being needed. Only when Yahweh allowed her to be hidden did she learn to worship for real.
Common Experiences
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You say Yahweh is first, but your schedule says otherwise.
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You proclaim trust in Him, but your anxieties rule you.
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You praise during service, but worship your job, comfort, or fears in private.
These disconnects are where idolatry hides — not in golden statues, but in hidden loyalties.
Everyday Challenges
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Time-limited devotion: We try to fit Yahweh into tight boxes — 15 minutes, quick songs — but intimacy can’t be rushed.
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Cultural distraction: Society celebrates self and success. It’s easy to misdirect our reverence.
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Emotional worship: We confuse goosebumps with glory, and fail to bow when no one is watching.
Modern Connections
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Use digital sabbaths to refocus your attention on Yahweh. **(click blue link)
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Ask: “Who do I run to first when I’m anxious — Yahweh or something else?”
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Worship isn’t just for Sunday; create holy spaces in your home — with music, silence, or prayer journaling.
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Use apps like Dwell or Lectio365 to anchor your mornings in truth over noise.
Reflection & Application
Reflection Questions:
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What does my daily life say about what — or who — I worship?
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Have I enthroned anything in Yahweh’s place without realizing it?
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What areas of my life haven’t bowed yet?
Application Steps:
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Write down anything you suspect may have become an idol.
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Confess it to Yahweh and renounce its rule over your life.
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Spend unhurried time in worship — not for answers, but for intimacy.
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Ask the Spirit to reveal hidden altars in your heart and tear them down.
Closing Prayer
"Yahweh, we return to You. We renounce every god we didn’t know we chose — every idol of convenience, comfort, or control. Tear down what we’ve unknowingly lifted up. Cleanse our altars. Let Yeshua alone be enthroned in our hearts. We give You the worship You deserve. Speak, Yahweh — not because we demand it, but because we bow before You in holy reverence. Amen."
Further Study:
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Exodus 20:3–5 – “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
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Philippians 3:17–21 – “Their god is their belly...”
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Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice... this is your spiritual worship.”
Key Takeaway:
“Whatever receives your worship becomes your god — choose Yahweh before something else chooses you.”
Concluding Thoughts:
Yahweh doesn’t just want your voice — He wants your heart, your posture, your time. Worship is not a song; it’s surrender. Today is your chance to intentionally enthrone Him again.