And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved-
Acts 4:12
Lord, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The words of Jesus came into my head today concerning the rich man and the camel- in Matthew 19:24-“And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
It was true then, and even more so today in our “iniquitous secular world.” The words of Jesus Christ, our Savior were ringing in my ears throughout the day. It was glaringly obvious that the world is not in obedience to the LORD, as I was listening to several different individuals speak about “materialistic gains” and how vitally important it was in their world, and it truly made my soul ache. I wanted to shout – “Wait a minute! Money and possessions are more important than God?” My mind then turned to the people in the Old Testament who had their idols that they bowed down to. Different time, same theme, same mind set! Yikes! Here we go again!
Things have changed, but not really- God’s children are still into their lofty goods, and their prize possessions. Their cars, their homes, and who they are going to “impress” with their accomplishments. The only ones that will be impressed are those who are spiritually bankrupt and have lost their connection to God.
Like the children in the desert in Exodus. When Moses was away for 40 days and nights they built their big fat golden calf to worship! After witnessing the miracle of the Red Sea parting; and Pharaohs’ army being swallowed up by the Sea, after the children of Israel safely passed through to the other side. Those people couldn’t’ see who the LORD was.
They saw numerous plagues that were placed on Pharoah, and yet they were unharmed and totally safe. While in the desert, they were being fed manna (John 6:31) and given water. God provided a cloud during the day and a fire at night, yet they still didn’t believe and built a golden calf the first chance they had. While Moses was on Mount Sinai getting the law from God, they built their idol to worship. A golden calf a complete and blatant abomination in the eyes of the Lord. But they built it, even after witnessing all the miracles of the Lord’s hand who delivered them out of Egypt. Imagine the Father’s pain at seeing His children dancing around and bowing to this golden calf! (Exodus 32:2-4)
Do you have a golden calf in your life today? Is there something that is keeping your attention away from God? Is there a preoccupation of sorts that is in your life today, that is preventing your full and complete dedication to God? Think long and hard about it, God knows you and your heart so you cannot hide. He already knows if you do, even if you don’t know about it yet, He does.
It can pertain to anything that is keeping your attention and devotion from God-that is in fact, a modern-day golden calf. So, therefore the same as it was in the OT, so it is the same today.
God is the same, He has not changed. Times have changed, but God stands true and full of wisdom, and love and devotion to us, the ones He created. He is not walking around texting and sitting in front of a computer diverting His attention from us. So, why therefore are people today doing that to Him?
There is a certain amount of technology that is welcomed, and of course anything in moderation is okay. I am talking about the extremes, the obsessive behavior, the modern-day golden calf, the modern-day idols – the absurdity and peculiarities that encroach upon our souls. The type of dangerous preoccupation insipid nonsense that is corrupting our minds, body heart and soul. We need to stop it before it’s too late.
Success is wonderful when it is God given, and He blesses your obedience with certain advantages that may allow you to have an abundance of things. However, to boast about accomplishments- or how much money- or worth you might have- is excessive and vulgar in God’s eyes. When an individual is inclined to toot their own horn to the point of excess, this “my friend” is akin to being in love with yourself- and your golden calf!
My God is my rock, and my Eternal Lighthouse. He is the one I exalt- and the one I thank. He is the one I call upon throughout my days and nights. He is the one I rely on for all things. He is the one I want to please, the one I want to bow down to. He is the one I adore. He is my God. He is my all. Life is LIFE because of Him. And there is no LIFE without HIM!
So, when I hear the shallow voices of the ones lost in their world of idols and listen to the exaltation of “self” and not of “GOD” – it makes me overly sad. I pray silently for these people to wake up and see where their priorities should be. I feel sorry and I feel pain for these individuals who live in a flurry of materialistic gains; and think of their “golden calves” as their gate to respectability, and essential happiness. It is all hollow and empty. It is not substantial and full of worth.
God is the one true Lighthouse and Rock of salvation. He is the means of happiness and self-fulfillment, and the outlet from which all good things flow. He is the way, He is the truth, He is the one and only GOD.
“And again, I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
O’ sweet Jesus my Savior, how true those words are when you said them, and how true they are today.
We should all aspire and ascribe to His ways, and His commandments. Our words should be from the heart straight to His heart. He is waiting for us to say “Lord, I lay down all of what I own and follow you, now and always-I love you.” Are you willing to give up your golden calf for God?
“Dear LORD, thank You for Your continuous guidance and miracles, You are the same as You were from the beginning, and there is no shadow in Your light, may we always glorify You, the One true God, and may we be in obedience to Your Word, and serve You alone, all the days of our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Think about the “golden calf” in your life today? Do you have any that need to be tossed aside, and wiped out of your life? Do you put the LORD first and foremost above all?
As you go through this day, think about how you might put the LORD first in all you do – and how you can push aside things of no importance of no value, and how you can give your love to the One that matters and is above all else – the LORD our Savior and King!
