12/13/2022
We say that there is but one God, a God above all, and that there is no other, but do we live as though that is true? The Israelites said these same words and yet formed golden calves and worshiped false gods. Are we any different when we stand before gleaming gold medallions, polished marble statues, and treasures in our homes saying look what my labor and wealth has brought me? Do we marvel and say, “see what my hands have made!”? In such moments who do we worship, who is our god, and as we worship ourselves as the god of our success can we be saved from ourselves?
““Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:22 ESV
John the Baptist humbled himself before God when after he had baptized Christ others began going to Jesus for their baptism. Listen as John is confronted with this, and compare the moment and his response with those in our own lives…
“And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’”
John 3:26-28 ESV
Like John we too may have done great things of faith in our lives, and like Israel we may have made magnificent things we call treasures, but none of this is of us, but rather is of God who guides our hand, our thoughts, and gives us of Himself, and all of this from heaven. All we do is truly of Him, by Him, and for His purposes and glory. Who are we that we can assure ourselves one more breath, or a single drop of rain to fall on our fields? Even Jesus knew this of Himself, listen…
““I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.”
John 5:30-31 ESV
So, who do we worship, and are our successes truly our own? Do we humble ourselves before the Lord our God and thank Him for all things? There is no other God, not one, no, not one we have concocted that is true or even exists, not even we, who He created in His own image, can cast a shadow on Him, and we, like Jesus said of Himself, can do nothing unless it is our Father’s will, and glorifies Him.
“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.”
Isaiah 44:6 ESV
We declare that there is but one God.. Jehovah, and we convince ourselves that we believe this is true, yet our actions are often contrary, and do not bear this out. We take pride in ourselves, lord ourselves over people, turn our backs on those we are called to show mercy, and challenge the will of God in both bold and subtle ways. We even do good things, merciful things, not for the glory of God, but to glorify ourselves. Let’s each ask ourselves again… who is our God, and who do we serve?
“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.”
1 Kings 18:21 ESV
Who is our God, and who do we serve?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all I am, and all you have provided me. Thank you, Lord, for the grace you have poured out upon me through your Son Jesus Christ, and the mercy you have allowed me to show others, that you would be glorified by it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is above all things, all people, all of creation, and all gods. Praised be your name for your Son Jesus whom, by your love for me, you sent, and who, by His obedience, chose your will above His own. Merciful are you my God who thus sent your Son suffering to death on the cross and resurrected Him that I might be redeemed. Help me Father to place you above me in all things, and to give you the glory in all that is my life. Wash away my sins with the blood of Jesus and transform me in this way into your righteous child… worthy in Him of eternity with you. Worthy in Him to sing your praises. Worthy in Him to call you Father, and worthy in Him to glorify you my God for all eternity.
““Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods,”
Joshua 24:14-16 ESV
Rich Forbes