No More Idols – Stay Humble & Grateful
‘He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” ‘
– Exodus 32:4
“The first sin was rebellion, idolatry, treason, and pride, all rolled into a single bite. Both Adam and Eve made a conscious choice to rebel against their Creator and live on their own terms. And we imitate their decision every time we choose our desires over God’s.”
― Francis Chan, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples
Thursday February 16, 2023
As the children of Israel left the land of Bondage, God gave them much favor and made them a terror to the Egyptians, causing them to turn over their wealth in gold, silver, and precious stones to the Israelites.
They instantly went from poverty to stupendous wealth, they became Mega by the favor and grace of God.
But what did they do when they became rich? They turned their wealth into their idol and praised it for their deliverance from Egypt.
As disappointing and disgusting as this may be, many times we find ourselves in this same position.
Blessed by God but at unguarded moments these gifts become the object of our devotion as against the Giver of the gift.
For example, sometimes people hail us for our brilliance and we take the glory for our promotion as a reflection of our intelligence rather than of God’s favor.
We boast about how good we look, about human science and technological advancement, about our investments and properties, and ultimately spend more time around ‘things’ than God. Many times we exalt ‘fun time’ over spending time with God and put our personal agenda at the center of life, instead of God’s agenda.
It’s time to ask for the grace to stay humble and genuinely grateful.
Do not turn the gifts that God has brought your way into your idol. Not the jobs, not the money, not the relationships, not the children, not the social media, not the sports club, not the careers, not the houses and properties…nothing.
Build your real relationship with God, keep your focus on Him, and acknowledge Him as your source always.
Let us give God the glory for every benefit and every blessing. Let us never say to things like Israelites “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
LET US PRAY:
In Jesus’ Name, I declare I have been chosen by God to do special things for him. Christ has consecrated me for ministry (Exo.29:21)
My life is set apart for the honor of the Lord’s Name.
I am the Temple of God so I honor God with what I see, hear, and eat.
I consecrate myself to the Lord totally. My life will be for His glory.
My ministry is consecrated to God. I have been set apart for the Lord.
I sanctify the Lord in my heart and mind.
I represent Him on the earth!
Amen
(Kindly share with someone today)
