Our scripture this morning is Psalms 16:1-8.
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
This psalm speaks of God’s blessings to the faithful and the danger of letting idols lead us away. In the days of the psalmist there were many “gods” worshiped by other nations and people. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and other groups all believed in many deities.
The children of Israel had been saved many times by the one true God, our maker and protector. They knew that idol worship was a sin, that these “gods” made by human hands were worthless. Their hope was in the Lord.
What idols draw us away from God today? We may say there are no idols as in the past, but if we are honest we have created new idols to follow – money, prestige, power and many others. Today let’s think about the things of the world that separate us from God and pray for strength to avoid them, keeping Him first in our thoughts and lives.
Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the many things that we allow to interfere with our connection to You. May our faith be stronger than any earthly attraction and may we go to share Your love with everyone. Amen.