Idols Are Worth-Less! Don't Worship Them!

Psalm 96:4-6
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and glory are in his sanctuary

The psalmist also compares worshipping the one true God with idols.  The word "idol" in the Hebrew language meant "nothing" or "worthless"  Meaning they have no purpose and bring no real help or benefits to anyone.  In short, the implication is that it is a dumb move to put one's faith in a worthless idol.

 Specifically, why would you worship an idol when you can worship the God who created the universe?  God created human beings in His own image so we could worship the One who made us and enjoy the wonderful life He wants us to have.  God is with us no matter what we go through in this life.  Idols don't.  

 So if idols are so worthless why do people follow them?  I think they may promise short term pleasure in this life, but have no value beyond that. The short term satisfaction an idol may promise and even seem to give, is temporary at best.  

 Take one popular idol, money.  Though money can bring good things, and is not not inherently evil, the bible calls the love of money "the root all evil".  The love of money over time becomes all consuming, and at a certain point no amount of it is enough.  The love of money can destroy relationships, lead to immoral behavior, consume a person, and lead to a false sense of one's worth. 

 Compare all of that to worshipping the one, true God and all the benefits He brings.  The pursuit of things that matter both now and into eternal life. A true guide into what is truth and what is false in all areas of life.  The gift of family and community. True and real relationships whose root is in one's own discovery of God's unfailing love.  The enjoyment of the wonderful things God has given us. This includes things that give us pleasure, but within healthy boundaries not abuse of what is good in them.   

 As we focus our eyes on who God is, the lure of idols loses its lustre.  The more we experience the abundant life God and Jesus came to bring us, we see how worthless idols are.  Keep your eyes out for things that can become an idol in your life.  Remember it is a lie and ultimately of no worth!  

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