Idols are Silent
An idol makes no demands. It is made into whatever you desire. In contrast, the Living God of Heaven is demanding of every vestige of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Why would somebody prefer worshipping an idol rather than the Living God? The answer is simple. We prefer aligning ourselves with systems where we maintain control. With idols, we can come, go, do, or not do; but with God we are not our own, He owns us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Idolatry was a continual problem with the people of Israel. They quickly turned to idol worship, and many times would plunder the idols of people they conquered and set the idols up and worship them themselves.
When Israel was delivered from Egypt by the direct intervention of God, the people saw miracle after miracle; yet they were largely unmoved in their allegiances. Jehovah God was their deliverer from hunger, thirst, and enemy attacks, but Jehovah God is not a God with whom you can be comfortable.
When the Children of Israel entered Canaan, they left behind the rigors of desert life. No longer were they confronted with the daily quest for manna, praying for water, and being surrounded by hostiles. Canaan was an agricultural paradise. A cluster of grapes was so large that it took two men to carry it. Corn was plentiful and crop after crop could be grown in the lush Jordan River valley. Corn could be stored, rivers could be camped by; life was good.
Canaan had a system. The people worshipped idols. There was Baal, the storm God, the one they looked to for rain. Rain was the necessary item for agricultural success. The people of Israel saw the system of Canaan as stable and secure and bought into it. Jehovah God was still at hand and looked to for calamity needs, but the Canaan system seemed to work well for everyday life.
God hates idolatry because it is departure from absolute trust in Him.
An idol does not have to be a graven image. An idol is anything substituted for the continual rule of God in our lives. A "to-do" list that controls us, gives us great satisfaction in completion but totally excludes God and His intervention, is an idol. We have no time for "God- distractions" when we are in the groove to conquer our "list."
Canaan had a system, which when joined gave a great sense of peace and security. The United States has a system, the greatest economy in the world. All we need to do is join in, tag along, and reap the benefits. Canaan's system had no need for Jehovah God; the United States' system has no need for Jehovah God.
We live comfortably. We drive nice cars, go to church in our nice clothes, and sit unmoved because our system seems secure. Any area of our life that we have determined is off limits to God is an idol. When we credit God for something but deny Him access, we are guilty of gross hypocrisy and idolatry.
In the history of Israel, idol purging would take place many times; images would be destroyed and false prophets would be killed. The attempts to purge never worked because the root of idolatry is in the heart, the core of our being. You ask an idol something and get the answer you want to hear, because you are echoing your own desires. But when you ask God something, you get an answer that demands a change of heart and action.
We prefer idols because they are silent and allow us to have control, and our own way. Is it any wonder that God is judging us?
© 2002 Life Action Ministries
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APPLICATION
1. Have I totally surrendered ALL of my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Or am I "holding back" certain areas?
2. Have I asked God to search my heart and reveal to me the idols that I have in my life?
3. What is more important to me - obedience to the Lord or my comfort?
