Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

Read

Isaiah 14: 9-17

Sheol beneath is stirred up
to meet you when you come;
it rouses the shades to greet you,
all who were leaders of the earth;
it raises from their thrones
all who were kings of the nations.

All of them will speak
and say to you:
“You too have become as weak as we!
You have become like us!”

Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,
and the sound of your harps;
maggots are the bed beneath you,
and worms are your covering.

How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!

You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
on the heights of Zaphon;

I will ascend to the tops of the clouds,
I will make myself like the Most High.”

But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the depths of the Pit.

Those who see you will stare at you,
and ponder over you:
“Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
who shook kingdoms,

who made the world like a desert
and overthrew its cities,
who would not let his prisoners go home?”

Reflect

When we read passages such as this one which describes the making of an idol, an object to worship or use as some kind of charm, we may at the very least chuckle at such primitive thinking. Yet, if we cherish what may be learned from Scripture, don’t we enjoy an advantage in learning and applying what our Lord wishes to teach us?

While idolatry will never bless any individual, it always poses a threat to our well-being regardless of the type of idolatry. From crass materialism to reckless immorality, we may well find ourselves in a different form of idolatry no less destructive of our relationship with the Lord, can’t we? More often, such idolatry surfaces as self-worship, admiring and celebrating our own greatness and value. In the end, the outcome remains the same: self-destruction.

At the same time, compare the blessing and joy of worshiping the one true God. Will we choose and practice wisely?

Pray

Lord, thank you for your many blessings, help us to be grateful for the giver, not just the gift.

Go with God!