Today's Idols

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Psalm 115:4

When we first were married, my wife and I bought a new living room set. In the furniture store they had a lion figure that resembled something from the Far East. I thought it would look good on our coffee table. A friend of ours, who had been on mission trips overseas, came to our house for a visit and marveled we had this figure in our house. He went on to explain it was an idol that was worshiped by many Buddhists.

Though I wasn't worshiping this “idol”, I never imagined I would have an idol in my living room. The idea of worshiping an idol should not seem alien to us today. We can make an idol out of a sports star, a Hollywood celebrity, even a man or woman of God whom the Lord has used to bless us. I have had college professors, fellow ministerial who have had a great impact on my life. Maybe you think they are so wonderful, and you admire them, but the truth is they are human like you. Everyone will fail you or disappoint you in some way, shape or form.

Here is the problem; people become like their 'gods' they worship. “Those who make them[idols] are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.” Psalm 115:8 We don't need idols. Let's not make idols of things. And let's not make idols out of people, either.