“Are there any gods like the Lord?" Exodus 15:11
The question, of course, is rhetorical. The answer is assumed evident. Yet we must constantly remember to ask ourselves the question because there are so many gods vying for the title of "the one and only". In America we worship numerous gods in effort to improve our lives. "The rule of law" is a god many worship, in hopes that it will somehow redeem our society if enough of us bow down. "Individual liberty" is the god that assures we have the right to follow our destiny. "Equal rights" is the god we believe gives us value and worth.
Abortion, climate change, gun rights...I could go on and on. They all qualify as gods because they all require unqualified Obeisance while unbelievers are decried as heretics. We build doctrines of faith around them to preserve orthodoxy and we work fanatically to evangelize those around us.
But...of course...are they like the Lord?
The Song of Moses says, of Yahweh...No, there are no gods like you— you are wonderfully holy! You are amazingly powerful! You do great miracles! You raised your right hand to punish the enemy, and the ground opened up to swallow them. But with your kindness you led the people you saved. And with your strength you led them to your holy land. No other gods are holy (deserving of worship) and none of them have the power to crush our enemies. And, none of them will lead us to the holy land we seek.
It's fine to take positions on the panoply of issues that surround us. It is another thing to worship those positions. When we elevate them to god status we allow them to replace the God who created us for His purposes. When that happens, our lives fall apart and we will never reach our destination. So, when we're standing at the water's edge and Pharoah's army is about to drive us into the sea, let's ask that question one more time..."Are there any gods like the Lord?"
"Live boldly out there today..."
February 24, 2017
February 22, 2017
Freedom or Slavery
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still"
Exodus 14:14
* * * * * * * * *
The Children of Israel were standing next to the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was coming to slaughter them. Panic was setting in. Many wanted to return to Egypt and resume a life of slavery.
Really...after all God had done to demonstrate His power. Only to bring them out of Egypt.
Fear is common to all of us. And, when we feel an existential threat we often want to turn to something familiar...something safe. For the Israelites it was Egypt, and slavery.
"The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know..."
Look at the violence in America since the election of President Trump. This is all a reaction to a fear of the unknown. People's lives have been disrupted and they want to go back to something more familiar and safe. Fear produces anger and anger results in destruction. I understand the temptation to "do something" but in truth...all these people are doing is returning to bad habits formed in their pasts. They are returning to slavery.
What is our reaction to fear? Do we cower? Do we fight back? Do we bargain? All of our learned behavior only keeps us in slavery...with few measurable results. God suggests something new, and liberating, for His people. BE STILL...
"Live boldly out there today..."
Exodus 14:14
* * * * * * * * *
The Children of Israel were standing next to the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was coming to slaughter them. Panic was setting in. Many wanted to return to Egypt and resume a life of slavery.
Really...after all God had done to demonstrate His power. Only to bring them out of Egypt.
Fear is common to all of us. And, when we feel an existential threat we often want to turn to something familiar...something safe. For the Israelites it was Egypt, and slavery.
"The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know..."
Look at the violence in America since the election of President Trump. This is all a reaction to a fear of the unknown. People's lives have been disrupted and they want to go back to something more familiar and safe. Fear produces anger and anger results in destruction. I understand the temptation to "do something" but in truth...all these people are doing is returning to bad habits formed in their pasts. They are returning to slavery.
What is our reaction to fear? Do we cower? Do we fight back? Do we bargain? All of our learned behavior only keeps us in slavery...with few measurable results. God suggests something new, and liberating, for His people. BE STILL...
"Live boldly out there today..."
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