“….All the people said to one another, “This is the god who brought us out of Egypt!” Exodus 32:4
Introduction
Because Moses was in the Mountain for a long time, the Israelites became very concerned and they told Aaron to make an image of God who will lead and protect them. Aaron then used the earrings of the wives, sons and daughters and made an idol in the shape of a young bull. (Exodus 32)
I do not know exactly what God is saying to us during this COVID 19 crisis and I know many of us do not have physical idols like the Israelites but for too long we have been worshipping people, things and organizations rather than worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
During this lockdown period, please let us reflect on how and where we spend most of our time and mind on.
Is it the politician and your political party?
Before and during this crisis, we have been worshipping politicians and political parties. The alarming thing is that some of our spiritual leaders are guilty of this as well. Personally, I am convinced that these political parties are like cults and the way Governments are set up and run, it is creating confusion and division but yet many of us spend most of our time thinking and strategizing about winning the next election rather than winning souls for the Kingdom of God. However, at the end of day, God will have the final say even though many of us think it is our Political Gods.
Is it money, our jobs and careers?
Money does provide answers for most things and as a result it becomes a God for many of us. All of our thoughts and dreams are preoccupied about making money. The rich wants to get richer and the poor wants to get rich. The word of the Lord says that the love of money is the root of all evil. The word of Lord also says that we should first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Some of us want to serve God and money but the word of God says in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Is it your house, vehicle and other material things?
Believe it or not, some of us are worshipping our houses, vehicles, jewelry and other material things without realizing it. We spend a lot of our energy admiring and upgrading our material possessions. It is ok to have nice things but don’t let them become your Gods.
The word of God says in Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Is it celebrities and status?
We spend a lot our time chasing and imitating celebrities and focusing on achieving “VIP” status. We promote and agree with their messages more than we promote and agree with the Bible. We need to chase after the word of God and focus on his word rather than focusing on the popularity and status of the individuals otherwise we will suffer. Psalms 16:4 stated “that those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour our libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.
Is it your family?
I believe many of us are guilty of putting our family before God. I know I am. We work hard 24 7 to provide for our family. We wake up thinking about them and go to bed thinking about them. There is nothing wrong with that but don’t put your family ahead of God. I know we love our family but be alert. 1 Peter 5:8 states “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Is it your TV, your phone or social media?
The phone, TV and social media is a great tool to spread the word of God. However, if we find ourselves spending a lot of time using these gadgets for purposes other than fellowshipping with God, we are in trouble. Many times, we spend a lot of time scrolling on social media and TV for other entertainment when we could have used that time wisely spending with God. By the time you finish with your entertainment, you may be so tired and sleepy you don’t have time for God.
Make the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob your only God
The only God we should be worshipping is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The word of God forbids us from worshipping other Gods which is one of the Ten Commandments. No matter how things look, do not ever replace your God with another God. Things may not go as you plan, or things may not happen when you want them to happen but if you serve God, he will take care of you. Do not wait until a crisis hits you to run to him and do not forget him after the crisis ends. God is the only way. We see everything happening in this world today is not new. We were warned but some of us refused to believe. God is the answer.
Conclusion
If after your reflection, you concluded that you spend most of our time on anything else other than the God of Abraham, we are facing the risk of serving two masters. The word of God says if we do, we will love one and despise the other.
I started off this article with Exodus 32 and I will end with Exodus 32. As I say, I don’t know why this virus is happening but I do know in the book of Exodus 32:35 “The Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron made.”