Idols or Not!

There are but few, near perfect examples we can glean from when we peruse the lives of men throughout the bible, most come with their blemishes. No differently to all men alive today, the sins of some more obvious than that of others, but all wear the same T-Shirt; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) 

And yet there were men who lived many years before Christ’s journey here on earth and their names are Noah, Daniel and Job. There is much to learn from their example, so let me now explore! God singles them out concerning their righteousness. Even our great God acknowledges their commitment to Him! “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 14:14) – The obedience of these three men throughout different times in history shone bright in a dark perverse world and their example and commitment pleased our heavenly Father. So much so that He mentions them by name! It is these kinds of men we must focus on. Forget the “Bill Gates” or the “Warren Buffets” of the world! Let us glean from Daniel’s example; per adventure I too may learn how to behave, in turn, pleasing my heavenly Father.

There seems to be an underlying theme that these men opposed, it isn’t obvious but there is most certainly a hint of why these men pleased God… They abhorred Idols! We will look at this in more detail over the next couple of days.

How many idols do I yet cling to in my life? Let me rather begin with what is an idol? “An object of adoration (somebody or something greatly admired or loved, often to excess) – an object often worshipped as a god (something that is worshipped as a god, e.g. a statue or carved image)… It is a forbidden object of worship other than the One God!” (Encarta Dictionary)

Let me now examine this in our world today, with what is current… I do not see many bowing down to “totem poles” but I do see many worshiping the creature rather than the creator. Those who are invested in saving our planet and yet they never acknowledge the One who created it! Do not be fooled into believing that the good deed of saving the planet at the exclusion of your obedience to God will exclude you from the wrath which is yet to come!

How serious do you think this facet of idols in our lives concerns our heavenly Father? - Here then is our answer; the very first commandment He gave to Moses on that mountain top, wasn’t thou shalt not kill, it was; "You shall have no other gods before me. ”You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:3-6)

I am in pursuit of God’s steadfast love, how about you?

The day has now arrived where we need to stand up and be counted, our time of lurking in the shadows has come and gone. Help us Father God to be bold for you! Look at Daniels commitment in this area to His God; “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank… (Daniel 1:8) - He chose to separate himself from the masses and the trends of his time. If we or I want to find favour in Christ we must follow in Daniel’s footsteps.

Help us Father God find grace in time of need to appropriate a readiness to lay down our lives for you, this I ask in the mighty name of my Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ!

Signing off

Tyrone