Self-examination · Identity and Purpose · Biblical Reflections · Practical Theology · Christian Life
Who is your… god?
5 min read, approximately
“At that time a great disturbance arose concerning the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought considerable profit to the craftsmen. He gathered them together with workers in similar trades and said: Men, you know that we earn our living from this trade. You see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, not only in Ephesus but throughout almost all Asia, saying that gods made by human hands are not gods. There is danger not only that our trade will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be regarded as nothing, and that her majesty, which all Asia and the world honor, will begin to be destroyed. When they heard these things, they were filled with anger and shouted: Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:23-28)
According to him, the gods we make are not real gods, and many people have believed him. Paul is not only harming our business but also taking away the fame of the temple of the great goddess Artemis. Until now, she has been loved and respected throughout the province of Asia and the whole world, but very soon no one will want anything to do with her.” When those men heard this, they became very angry and shouted: “Long live Artemis, the goddess of the Ephesians!””
Looking outward without looking at myself?
We see crowds of people who venerate, carry, petition, and weep before lifeless images made by human beings… When we see them, we point out that this is idolatry. Yet what about the altars of worship we build ourselves? That popular artist? Those studies? That job? That technology? That romantic relationship? That child? Ourselves? Money?…
“Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and fail to notice the beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)
We must understand that if anything other than the Lord holds first place in our hearts, we have sadly fallen into idolatry.
“Lord God, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do deeds and mighty works like yours?” (Deuteronomy 3:24)
But wait, the Lord wants to direct us and guide us back to him
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; this is the foremost commandment.” (Mark 12:30)
The one who lifts us up and heals us
“The Lord will sustain him on his bed of suffering; you will tend his whole bed in his illness.” (Psalms 41:3)
who never fails us
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)
who always gives us renewed strength
“But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength; they will rise on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
who does not confuse us but guides us along the right path
“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; I have waited for you all day long.” (Psalms 25:5)
who always helps us and encourages us to keep going
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not lose heart, for I am your God who strengthens you. I will always help you; I will always uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
and who sustains us even if everyone abandons us
“Even if my father and mother were to abandon me, the Lord would still take me in.” (Psalms 27:10)
today, this very day, he wants to shape our hearts
“I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in my ordinances and keep and fulfill my decrees. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19-20)
Come on
“Acknowledge that the Lord is God; he made us, and we did not make ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalms 100:3 RV1960)
We are his creation, and creation needs to be with its Creator. We cannot reverse the order.
How inadequate it would be to worship and honor creation instead of the Creator!
To sum up, let the Bible itself tell us:
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you, except to fear the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, love him, and serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul?” (Deuteronomy 10:12)
The Lord is waiting for us to decide today to remove every altar of idolatry from our hearts and give him the place he deserves…
“For I know the thoughts I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you the end you hope for. Then you will call on me, come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, because you will seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Today is a good day to examine ourselves and ask:
Is there a “god” in our hearts, or is Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, there? (Revelation 19:16)
May God continue to bless you
and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook