Day 242: Why Idols?

John 17; 2 Chronicles 25; Psalm 82

In this passage of scripture, Jesus talks a lot about oneness. He and the Father are one and he prays that his followers would also be one with each other and with God. All of this oneness is about relationship and purpose. God the Son and God the Father are one because they share a perfect unity, a perfect relationship, a perfect purpose. We are designed in God's image, and so that perfect unity and purpose is what we are also to strive for and embrace. It's hard because so much of our energies are devoted to selfishness or protecting ourselves.

The other thing Jesus talks about is his followers being hated by the world. Ouch. But why do they hate us? Because we "don't belong to this world," just as Jesus doesn't. What does that mean? That our purpose is eternal, that what we value can't be seen, because we are driven by one truth, because we pursue humility and compassion. That can seem so discouraging sometimes. How are we supposed to love on people that hate us? The same way Jesus did: self-sacrifice, humility, grace, service. If we focus on the things that will matter in eternity, the hate we receive in this world will seem like minor trouble comparatively. That's tough, but that is what we are called to do.

Amaziah compromises, follows his own path and it leads to his destruction. He listens to God, but not because he wants to obey, but because he's worried about his life and position. God wants to bless us; it is when we go down our own path and stop listening that we leave his blessing and then end up in ruin. At one point Amaziah has taken the idols from the Edomites and starts to worship them. God, through a prophet, asks "Why would you worship idols that can't even save the people you stole them from?" Basically, are you blind? What kind of logic is that, Amaziah? It's like we know that being a workaholic is dangerous for our family, yet people worship their jobs anyway. We know that putting a significant other or spouse on a pedestal is dangerous for our relationship, but we do it anyway. We know that getting mixed in with substances is destructive, yet people will sell out everything for their next fix. We need to be people of purity, not compromises as Amaziah was.

In this psalm it references these "gods" that people worship. Basically God says, you are evil and useless, what you should be doing (and this is for all of us): "Be fair to the poor and to the orphans. Defend the helpless and everyone in need. Rescue the weak and homeless from the powerful hands of heartless people." What is so beautiful about this passage is that we get a glimpse of God's heart and his design. God is truly loving, and he doesn't ignore the poor and helpless.