idols

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17. The Philistines, enemies of Israel, have captured the Ark of the Covenant and they placed it in their temple with one of their idols. When they come back the next day, the idol is lying on the floor. They prop it back up, but every time they leave and come back, it's on the floor.

Not to read too much into our current situation, but it's interesting to notice that God seems to point out the weakness and limitations of our idols by demonstrating their shortcomings. This idol kept getting knocked to the ground by the Ark, which was a symbol of God's presence. In Exodus, God sent plagues to show He was in charge, and not the gods of Egypt, which included the frogs and locusts and other things that He used in the plagues themselves. He showed He was in charge.

In our modern day plague, aka COVID 19, we see Him once again demonstrating the limits of the things we rely on and are tempted to worship. Money, health, education, careers, celebrities, all of the things that we are tempted to idolize today are brought low, aren't they? We're taught that life is short and death is certain. And that we can't rely on money or any of those other things to save us. God shows that He is God.

So let's learn the lesson the easy way.

God, thanks for reminding us Who You Are.