February 17, 2019 -- Exodus 20:4-6 -- The Jealous God
/“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Exodus 20:4-6 ESV
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 ESV
The Second Commandment is very clear: our worship belongs to God alone. We are not to gaze adoringly, to kneel before, or give our highest to praise to anything we have made, or desire, or to anything that is in heaven above or on the earth or in the seas. Seems pretty basic. Yet how easily we fail.
The hockey fan who knows all the stats of his fav player—admires him—defends his honour and stats and salary etc. He is an idolator. The man who looks longingly and lustfully at pornography is giving himself in worship to an idol, invoking the just jealousy of God. The alcoholic gazing at his desired poison and the junkie tenderly pouring out a line to snort, are giving themselves in worship to their god. The foodie, relentlessly snapping pics of her amuse bouche, boasting of her fortune to be eating of that chef’s bounty is giving food the place of honour which should be reserved for the Living God alone.
With the psalmist we are invited to gaze at the beauty of the LORD, to look longingly to Him alone. We praise Him and dedicate ourselves to knowing more and more about Him because He is the Captain of our Salvation. He is the Rescuer of our souls. He has fed us with every good thing. We are not drunk on wine, but we are filled to overflowing with the Spirit Who gives us greater joy than any earthly experience.
Examine your speech patterns. Consider what your mouth praises the most. Where do your eyes go when you think no one is looking. What do you think of and contemplate when there is “nothing particular on your mind”? Such introspections will reveal your true god. Repent. Turn from your sinful waywardness and honour God alone. Bring Him your praise. As Oswald Chambers so eloquently named the devotional book he wrote, “My utmost for His highest”. Let us give our utmost efforts in dedication to bringing Him the highest praise. For the Living God alone, the LORD, is worthy of our praise.
Blessed be Your Name, O God our Father.
Dominion and power, honour and glory belong to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed are You, Spirit of the Living God, Who leads us again and again to Jesus—the Fountain of Life— through the riches of Scripture. Amen.
