The Psalmist gives us a sharp, stinging description of the absolute ridiculousness of idolatry when he says, “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass” (Psalm 106:20).
Read that again:
“They exchanged the glory of God
for the image of an ox that eats grass.”
They exchanged worshipping God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, serving Him, gazing upon His glory…
For a cow.
It’d be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic.
And yet… how different are we? How different am I?
The truth is, none of us are much different. Just because we don’t worship a cow (although, depending on how much you like steak, that can be debated), doesn’t mean our idols are any less ridiculous.
Is Starbucks any less ridiculous?
Is pizza? Is pornography?
What about the job you love? What about the one you hate?
In Psalm 115, the author says,
“Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them” (v. 4-8).
The truth is, idolatry is completely pointless. Our idols can’t speak, feel, hear or help… they can’t save us, as much as we hope they will.
They are nothing. They’re a joke.
We must take this seriously. According to Scripture, we become like what we worship. When we worship empty and dead things, we grow dead inside.
But if we worship Jesus, we become like Him as He works in us to transform us into new creations.
So let’s take some time today and ask the question:
What do I worship?
For other entries in this series, please visit the Blogging the Psalms page.
