Little gods...

Judges 18:14-26 (Click on reference to read text)

Many of us have never read this story before. I am not sure I have, but it really struck me. The Danites raid Micah's house and take his idols and the priest he hired to serve his family. They moved on toward their destination when the household of Micah overcame them. When Micah realized that he is not numerous enough to fight the Danites and win, he turned back. However, the striking part of this passage is Micah's desperate explanation, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”(verse 24).

His desperation seems absurd. All of Micah's faith was placed in his priest and little gods. These same gods that could not even protect themselves. My first response was to pass him off as pathetic and ridiculous. However, as the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart, I found myself repentant and embarrassingly empathetic to him.

I am ashamed to admit that countless times a day I place my faith in things that are not the One true God. I feel security from locks on my doors to keep out evil, my husband's paychecks to provide what we need, plans I have made and my calendar assuring me of days to come, and doctors that can diagnose and prescribe medicine to heal my family. However, these things are made by man/limited by man, just like Micah's idols. All of these things can come in and be swept away: burglars can break into locked houses, my husband can lose his job, plans can change in the blink of an eye, and doctors cannot treat many diseases. I too during stressful times can ask, "what else do I have??"

The answer is Jesus Christ. He is my strength and security. (Exodus 15:2, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 62:2) He is sovereign and nothing happens outside of His command (Psalm 93:1-2, 2 Thes 3:3). He knows all of our days before one of them came to be and He gives me direction (Ps 139:16, Prov 16:9, Prov 3:5-6) He is my provider and promises to provide all we need when we need it (Phil 4:19, Hebrew 13:5, James 1:17, Matt 6:25-34) . He is the great Healer. He who created our bodies has the power to heal them.

What idols have you created in your life that you put your trust in? A relationship that brings you satisfaction and security (Jeremiah 17:5)? A financial future you have built for yourself(Job 31:24-28)? Your plans of how you think your life should go? What if they were taken away, would you have anything left? The answer, if you belong to Christ, is Him! He wants to be your security, your trust, your love, your future. Let's stop depending on things that can be taken away, and start trusting the Rock that stands forever (Is 26:4)!