All the Little gods

February 6, 2015
Bible in a year: Judges 1-6

Devotional passage: Judges 6:10
"I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not pay reverence to the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not given heed to my voice.”

The Book of Judges contains a repeating pattern of the Israelites turning away from God toward other gods. Each time, at their pleading, God would take pity on them and send a judge, a leader or commander, to bring them back to the Lord.

Here in the priveleged West we live in a land of many gods. There are, of course, the gods of other faith traditions. Some of these traditions also worship the God of Abraham and some do not. But beyond the obvious gods, we face the gods of materialsm, acquisition, recognition, and self-indulgence. Can we turn away from these gods of modern society as we do the gods of other faiths?

As I prepare for the lenten season I am called to recognize areas in my life that need to be strengthened. Simplicity, generosity, hospitality, humility, and self-sacrifice are welcome opponents to the modern gods.

In Deuteronomy 5:7, the very first of the Ten Commandments, God tells us, "you shall have no other gods before me." Now, instead of recognizing a judge or leader of some kind who can get us back on the righteous track of worshiping God alone, we recognize our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate leader, sent to lead us eternally on the right path.

So, ask yourself, what are the personal "gods" in your life and are you willing to turn away from them as God commands? This is not a change we mus make alone since we know that Jesus is the way past this modern idolatry.

Prayer: Precious Lord, we come before you knowing we have put gods of this world before you. Help us recognize what they are and turn away from them forever for You are our saving grace, amen.