THE SAME MISTAKE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.” Judges 6:10, ESV
Theme: The Israelites, like us, keep making the same mistake – fearing “gods” rather than obeying and fearing only God.
FEARING GODS
We don’t think we fear gods the way the Israelites did. Most people in our culture do not keep statues. We don’t have alters filled with offered food, drink, or blood sacrifices. Yet, many of us are quietly slaves to fashion, spending hours shopping, curating the perfect look, finding display-worthy shoes that are also comfortable, and buying the best brands. Many spend hours building a career so that they look productive, impressive and successful. Many build and remodel the perfect home or vacation home until it resembles the ideal. Many plan and execute exotic vacation after vacation, plotting destinations and marking them frantically off of a checklist that never ends.
You see, we don’t care for the gods we read about the ancients worshiping. What would we do with a golden calf? Why would we slash our skin to please a god we’ve never met? However, when we think about the pursuits to which we pledge our allegiance, time, talent and resources to today—and they aren’t all bad!—we might be tempted to make excuses.
ONLY GOD
Only God deserves first place. If your career comes first, well I hate to tell you this, but you’re worshiping a god. If your home projects, purchases, maintenance, yard, and decor come first, you’re worshiping a god. If your vacation plans come first (and I struggle with this, too), you’re worshiping a god. If keeping your money to yourself and amassing more takes first place... or conversely, hiding your debt and keeping up a good front comes first, you’re worshiping a god. If the upcoming sports season comes first... well, I know it’s football season, your kid plays, it is your favorite team, it’s how you keep in shape—you’re worshiping a god.
We all make the same mistake of worshiping gods instead of God. Yet, we see that God reminds His wayward people repeatedly to listen to His voice. “You have not obeyed my voice,” He says in today’s Scripture. While it is as true now as it was then, God’s statement is not meant to push the Israelites or us away. Instead, it is a call to repent and return. In the passage, God sends an angel to raise up the next Judge. Gideon rescues a generation of Israelites from their oppressors and their false gods (Judges 6:11-14).
Make It Personal: Listen for God’s voice. The truth is we all repeatedly make the mistake of worshiping gods instead of God. We don’t think of it that way, but it is true. “And I said to you ‘I am your the Lord your God you shall not fear the gods...’” (Judges 6:10a, ESV). God reminds His people that we weren't meant to serve gods like fashion, homes, things, success, careers, travel, or anything else. We don’t have to fear missing out or messing up any of that. How can you release your fear of the gods in our time? Pray and repent with me.
Pray: Lord my God, help me to keep You in first place. Reveal to me any area where I fear gods instead of You. Help me as I turn from them and return to You. I know gods can’t save me and that my worship is wasted on them. Take away my fear and anxiety, take away my desire for false gods. Send me a Savior. You did! Thank You. Jesus, redeem me and redirect me so that I can serve You with my whole heart. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Read: Judges 6:1-14; 2 Kings 17:34-39; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8
Weekly Memory Verse: “And the people of Israel said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.’ So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel.'” Judges 10:15-16, ESV