Anything in God's Place?
Idols that cannot either see, hear, or walk. (Rev. 9:20)
Rev. 9:20-21; Deut. 11:16; Isa. 42:8; Jer. 10:2-10
What Is God Saying?
In chapter 9 of Revelation, God dispenses judgment on unrepentant sinners. It is not a pretty picture. The sky darkened with smoke from the Abyss (the Bottomless Pit), and locusts emerged like horses prepared for battle. They breathed fire, smoke, and sulfur, powerful enough to kill a third of humanity.
Still, the rest of humanity did not refrain from worshipping their idols. It is incredible that, against the backdrop of such terrible punishment by God, men should cling to their idols instead of returning to God. Such can be the power of anything that takes the place of God!
How Does This Apply To Us?
When God is our first love, idols can exert no authority over us. When God does not have first place in our lives, almost anything else can and often does take over. That is why the Third Commandment is so important. We harm our souls if we ignore it. Everyone worships something. As we come to prayer, let us ask ourselves what is getting more of our devot10n, demanding more of our energy, claiming more of our resources than God-that is an idol. Any idol, anything, any relationship, any love, any ambition or desire, any friendship that comes between God and us is something we must pray about because until it is removed and conquered in the grace of God, no prayer can be effectual. Let nothing be left of our idols when we pray. We will see what new blessings God can give us to take their place and what new vistas He can open to us when we are no longer burdened and blinded by our idols.
Pray With Me
Dear Lord, there are times when I have been blind to the sure guidance of Your truth and deaf to Your love. I have squandered time—Your precious gift. I have wandered in paths of my choosing, knowing that such paths would lead me away from You and the life You have planned for me.
Help me to call anything less than Your best an idol, a pitiful substitute that can neither see my need nor hear my prayer nor talk to me in answering love. Give me the wisdom to recognize and the courage to deal with any idol that takes Your place on the altar of my heart.
Idols cannot see, hear, or walk, but there is comfort in knowing you see my need, even when it is too complex for me to understand. You hear my prayer even when it is too deep for me to utter. You walk with me even when the last friend on earth may be gone from my side.
Help me to follow Christ in the awareness of Your seeing, in the confidence of Your hearing, and the fellowship of Your walking. Such a walk brings fulfillment and endless peace.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
Coming to God in prayer is the time and place to deal with idols. In prayer, we see and hear plainly and "walk in the light as He is in the light." God removes the idols we can't surrender. In prayer, we come to One who sees, hears, and cares.
