"Replacing God"

 

“Replacing God”

 

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics is one of the NBA’s all-time greats and arguably the most valuable player ever. In his 13 years with the team (1956-1969, the last three as player-coach) the Beantown Boys won 11 league championships. Prior to his final season a sportswriter observed, “He is irreplaceable.” From 1969 through 2021 the Celtics won six more titles but neither they nor any other team has been as dominant since the Russell era. Evidently the journalist was right.

Over the centuries many (including some who should have known better) have attempted to replace God in their lives and cultures. Just after God delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea the people demanded that Aaron, the High Priest, make an idol which he did in direct violation of the First Commandment (Exodus 20:2-3). When they saw it they exclaimed, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:4). About five centuries later King Jeroboam crafted two golden calves and told his subjects, “Here are your gods, O Israel.” (1 Kings 12:28). The tragic history of the Jewish nation shows that attempts to replace God will never work. Listen to His message through His prophet: “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8, emphasis added).

Three times in 2 Kings 1 Elijah asked King Ahaziah, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to consult Baal-Zebub….?” Ten years previously God had sent fire from Heaven in response to Elijah’s prayer proving He and not Baal was the true God. Might He ask us today, “Is it because there is no God in your life that you consult horoscopes for guidance? That you check stock market reports umpteen times daily looking for financial security? That you depend on government to meet your needs? That you take pride in your ‘self-sufficiency’?” How prone  are we to take God for granted then bemoan the resulting difficulties (and perhaps blame Him for them)? Do we try to replace God with our own wisdom which our Lord’s brother describes as “…earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.” (James 3:15)? If so, we need to heed Jesus’ words, “…Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, emphasis added). So let’s turn our minds and hearts to God’s wisdom which is “…pure…peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For another look at this topic check out “Firing God”, an early-on posting.)