“They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. Therefore He said He would destroy them— had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” Psalm 106:19-23
Devotional Thought For The Day
The description seems rather matter of fact, almost monotone. The reality described is astronomically shocking and hideous. The psalmist was closer to the time period described; perhaps he could better understand and empathize with this incredible ignorance and wickedness, but I doubt it. I’m certain that he was choking down his own incredulity as he wrote these words. One has to understand Who God is, His awesome magnificence and power, and His incredible love, and then compare that to what the children of Israel were doing. Really, worshiping a metal image? And a dumb cow at that? Confusing this ridiculous man-made object with the God Who delivered them from Egypt with great signs and wonders? How utterly insane, morally bankrupt, spiritually empty and corrupt were these people to be able to even contemplate such ridiculous foolishness? This is the reality of sin’s corruption of our nature, the same corruption that dwells in us and continues to plague and afflict us with similar wretchedness.
Perhaps you do not agree with this assessment. Consider our fears, anxieties, and worries – when God has promised to watch over us and take care of us. Consider what things we most desire and what we are willing to do in order to get them and enjoy them – nice homes, nice cars, more property, vacations, recreational toys, fancy smart televisions, computers, fancy mobile phones, fancy furniture and appliances, nice clothes, jewelry, and other beauty expenses. Do we spend more on this kind of stuff than we offer to God and His purposes, or do we devote the greater portion of our “expendable” income to God? Is church our absolute highest priority – as God urges and commands, so that He can provide us with the gifts of His grace and love and heal our darkened hearts, or are there a number of things that take precedence over worship, including recreation, entertainment, work, chores, sleeping in, having a lazy morning, having fun with the kids or grand kids, watching some sporting event? And how do we feel when we cannot afford and have the things we deeply desire?
Do you allow the Word of Almighty God, the Holy Scripture, the Bible, to have final say and authority in your faith, your knowing, your behavior, and your very life, or do you submit what it says to other sources of “wisdom” – your intellect, conclusions of the scientific community, or the opinions of liberal unbelieving biblical scholars, or your common sense, or the majority opinions of your peers, or other so called “revelations,” whether from modern “prophets” or within your own subjective consciousness – the influence of “spirits” or intuition? Do you even take time to seriously read and study the Bible? Or does the doughnut shop or restaurant or other pleasures and duties call you away from Bible Class? Now, you compare all of these things which we prioritize over God, His Word, His will, His worship, over and against Who He is and what He has done for us and what He wills for us, and attempt to seriously argue that our ignorance and wickedness is any less egregious than that of the ancient children of Israel!
So these Words of God call us back to repentance, and not to some kind of arrogant and self-righteous disgust over the sins of others [sadly, we often make this our priority and pastime and feel godly in doing so]. And the repentance we are called to is serious, and deep, and dreadful, and truly sorrowful. We must bring the Savior God has given us along with us into such repentance, our dear Lord Jesus, Whose blood cleanses us from all sin and frees us from guilt and punishment. His love will lighten this darkness and wean us back to God, to humble gratitude to God and wonderment at His gracious mercy and love. Our initial response is to pooh pooh these sins, and consider them small and minor – we are still Christians after all. This same rationalizing took place in ancient Israel and has prevailed among all peoples from the fall into sin to this very day. We dare not succumb to it! If we are willing to enter into this repentance and the real joy of God’s salvation, we will be drawn closer to God and healed of such dark ignorance and idolatry, and seeing His glorious love continues our transformation into His image.
The worship of man’s accomplishments and intentional ignorance of God’s glory remains rampant today. Indeed, it remains one of the chief sins and opens the doors to all manner of wickedness. We must take heed lest our own hearts and minds be similarly corrupted. God preserve us!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You know well how confused our hearts and minds become living in the midst of a sinful and idolatrous generation. In Your grace and mercy You patiently call us back to greater repentance, that the light of Your Word and the power of Your healing love might restore our sanity and spiritual health. Embolden us in our repentance that the light of Your love burn more brilliantly in our spirit, so that we love and trust in You above all things. Forbid that we stubbornly cling to the idols of our time. Amen.