—Exodus 20:4-5
When we allow anything to accumulate on the table of our heart and mind, occupying our time and attention in a worshipful (treating it as valuable) way—that’s a problem. But sweeping all of those things off the table so only God remains as the object of our worship aligns with our ultimate reality. We are for Him, breathing for Him, living for Him, and spending our lives for Him. God as the center of our attention is the essence of "WORTHship."
The second commandment reminds us we have a capacity for creating idols and false gods: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.” Creating an idol isn’t just making an image. More often it’s placing godlike values on something -that can’t possibly accomplish what only God can do.
Whenever we worship what is created instead of our Creator, we end up with nothing but the wrath to come. The warning in this commandment is one of the reasons we come are taught live in community: to sweep our idols off the table.
Do you know what most often distracts our valuing, cherishing, and treasuring God above all things are? I asked 50 people and here are the top five answers:
5. Our families. We let our children or our spouse get in the place of God. This puts the salvation of the entire family in jeopardy.
4. Money and posessions. We easily worship things instead of God. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). When we worship God, we treasure Him and recognize His worth.... all else looks like trash and fodder!! Especially a paper dollar.-- But more often than many admit... we set our hearts on & trust in—our money & our stuff—it displaces God and we’re in danger of His wrath. .
3. Sports figures and celebrities. We worship people when we think “Oh, if only I could be like him.” "He is 'The Man!" "I'm imitating that swag! I need them Jordans!" That’s worship!! Do we recognize the convicting accuracy of a television program named American Idol? People are worshiping other people!!
No BUENO!
2. Our careers and accomplishments. We trust these fragile, temporal achievements to give our lives meaning and significance—the very qualities only God can supply. Don't believe me? Look at how many Christians react when they lose their "jobs."
We are not to grieve like one who has no hope.
Now for #1!!
1. Ourselves. We turn our needs and wants into our highest pursuit. When we won't allow anyone, not even God, to get in the way of what we desire, we’re worshiping the idol in the mirror.
The discipline of worship is a deliberate act where we sweep clean the table of our hearts & minds and remove all the false gods who would claim our worship.
We gather with others god fearing believers in God’s presence and ask Him to burn away every worthless thing that would crowd out His rightful place.
That’s worship at its best and it's where God shows up in GLORY!!
Whatever we find worthy thinking about, our emotions, our time and our energy, is essentially what we find WORTH and Value in. It's what we worship.
God is to be ..... THAT.
It's the greatest commandment and every single thing in the bible "hangs" on THAT!
Pray with me:
Lord, I know tangibles (people, things, jobs) can seem more real because I can touch them or see them, but they are absolutely unable to substitute for You. They lead me in false directions and always let me down. What I create can’t possibly be the God who created me. Lord, You alone are worthy of my humble and trusting surrender. Father grant me Your grace to depend on no one or nothing as I depend on You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Most Precious and Promise Keeping name, amen
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