Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
You and I are idol factories. Hold on—don't click off just yet. Let's figure out what the Bible has to say about God's position on the things that try to take His place.
Our Verse of the Day comes from Joshua chapter 24, verse 23. It says, "'All right then,' Joshua said, 'destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.'"
Understanding Idols Historically
Historically, and even in different parts of the world today, idols are very much a thing. An idol historically would have been something made out of metal or stone—something that someone could look at and worship. It was the embodiment of their god, their deity of some sort.
When someone was coming forward to worship an idol, they would bring sacrifices. They would bring their time, their attention. Often idols would be positioned on high places. If you would go up to a mountain, it would mean that you were closer to your God, closer to heaven. It was this elevated place of worship.
Joshua's Command
At this time, Joshua was commanding all the people: "Tear down your idols." Why? Because God deserves your whole attention.
Idols in Modern Life
There are so many things in our lives that we can refer to as idols. That may not be statues. It could be a relationship. It could be a family member. It could be your finances. Anything that sets itself up in your eye line between you and God to take His place is an idol.
Something that we give our full attention to that is not God.
God Deserves Your Whole Heart
Why is Joshua saying to tear down the idols? It's because God deserves our whole heart. If you've heard this phrase being around church or around Christians for a while, this may sound familiar to you, but the idea is it's not God and something else—it's only Him.
A Right View of God
The reason for that is if we think that we have to add anything to God, our picture of God is very, very small. But if we take a minute and we think about who God really is, He's the Creator of the universe. He's the one that invented life. He's the one who put colors in the sky and on flowers and trees.
He's the one that creates personalities.
God Is Too Great to Be Contained
If we think of a God that is so great, too big to contain, then we have a right view of God. But if you think of a God that can be contained in a shape or in an object, something that you worship that is containable, that thing is small and it's in your control.
When we step back and we see Joshua's motivation for telling the people to tear down their idols, it was this: He said, "Destroy the idols among you. Turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Your Heart Means Something to God
Your heart means something to God. The Bible says that God is a jealous God. He's not jealous just because He is scared of the competition. He's jealous for you because He knows how easily your heart can be pulled to different things, and He wants to be the one that captivates your whole attention.
God Promises Life Abundantly
He promises that He will give you life—and life abundantly—if you run to Him, stay with Him, and abide with Him.
I ask you today: What things are actually taking life from you? You're giving so much of your attention to things other than God. What are the things that are draining your energy because of how much they require from you?
If you were to identify those things, I ask you to pray and ask the Lord to help you to lay those things down and put Him back in His rightful place.
Tear Down the Idols
Tear down the idols. Throw them away. Leave no room for the enemy to sneak in and pull your attention away from the One who will give you life, who will love you more than you could ever imagine and would satisfy your deepest desires.
He's there for you. Jesus ultimately is your salvation. He's the one whose eyes you should be locked with. Your attention should be on Him and Him alone.
I'd ask you to put away the things that are distractions. Set your eyes on Jesus and see how much life you feel in return.
