Sam and I ate lunch recently with my Aunt B.J. in a Chinese restaurant. Prominently displayed on a counter was a large brass Buddha. That obese figure reminded me of the hundreds of millions of people who still worship inanimate man-made objects and live constantly in fear of offending evil spirits. Imagine how God must feel! He created us to fellowship with Him. He made us with a spectacular relationship in mind and what happens—people reject Him for their own creations.
Meditation
Habakkuk 2:18-19—Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, “Come to life!” Or to lifeless stone, “Wake up!” Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.”
An idol is a false god; an image adored. Idolatry constitutes excessive dedication to, or dependence upon, anything that replaces God. When idols are defined as objects it is simple to spot them and bemoan anyone foolish enough to bow before them. Perhaps that is why wealthy nations are so easily seduced by Satan. We cannot see our idols or admit to our idolatry.
¨ Can work or self-dependence become idolatry? If we believe our fate is dependent upon our work and that it is more important than anything else we do, than God has something to say to us. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship . . .”—Ephesians 2:8-10a)
¨ Can money become idolatry? If we pursue it as essential, than God has something to say to us. “You cannot serve both God and Money.”—Luke 16:13b “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”—1 Timothy 6:10
¨ Can possessions become idolatry? When they consume our attention Jesus has something to say to us. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Matthew 6:19a,21
¨ Can another person cause idolatry? If we depend upon anyone over our Savior, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.’”—Jeremiah 17:5
Let nothing steal our heart from God or devalue His throne! He is jealous for our love. After all He has done for us how do we dare not make Him first? Our cause is not to emplace what will burn or embrace what cannot save or replace our preeminent Lord. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”—Colossians 3:5,6 Our first cause is to love God! King David sang it well, “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”—Psalm 40:4
Inspiration
Idolatry is the outcome not of ignorance, but of perversity.—Oswald Chambers in Notes On Ezekiel
