Worthless idols...

Jonah 2:8
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

There are two things to ponder in this verse; What are worthless idols? And can I loose my grace?

First my thoughts on idols:
I might think of an idol as a statue or figurine that worshipers pay tribute to. Certainly that is a clear picture of an idol but in America such obvious examples of idols are not really commonplace.

So what are idols? Things that replace God. They become other gods. False gods. For example, our selfish ambition in the pursuit of status and success is an idol. Alcohol can be an idol to many. Smoking a cigarette to me makes absolutely no sense yet millions wake up every morning to worship the god of tobacco. For what? Who knows...

The problem is that the devil would like to make us think that idolatry is just about statues and figurines. But I believe that idolatry is cloaked in common acceptable things which in fact are worthless yet seem valuable in this world.

Then let's look at the second part of this verse. It sound like there is something we can do to make God not love us any more. Can we screw up and fall out of grace and go to hell? Then I am reminded of the promise "nothing shall separate us from the love of God."

In the New Living Translation this verse says: Those who worship false gods, turn their backs on all God's mercies.

God's mercies are always there, the question is, do we have enough time to receive God's mercies? In other words, if we are too busy paying attention to false gods, are we missing out on Gods gifts to us.

So why do we do this? Some of us wish for God's healing yet got outside to "light it up." We might be needing to loose a few pounds and pray to God to do a work in us yet we can't pass by the Krispy Kreme box without paying homage to the god of fat laden donuts!

Why do we continue to worship these worthless idols when we know they can block the blessings that are bought and paid for already by the blood of Jesus Christ?

Here is my prayer today:
Lord, in Jesus' name please helps us, do a work in us and clearly speak in our minds so that every worthless idol in our life is exposed for the fraud it is and we can be empty so we can receive a full measure of your grace, we need it every day Lord!