Wisdom in Worship

"Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures....  For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever." Romans 1:22-23;25.

Kari Beougher

Upon first reading this passage of Scripture, my mind immediately goes to Exodus 32 and the Israelite people creating and worshiping the golden calf. It can be easy when reading Biblical passages to criticize or condemn the Israelites for their foolishness. After all the Lord had done for them, how could they turn away from serving the Lord to serving a mere symbol? Right?

Before I can even finish my critique, I am immediately convicted by the countless times idolatry has marked my life. After all the Lord has done for me- forgiveness, salvation, redemption, sanctification (to name a few)- how could I turn away from serving the Creator to serving the created? 

And yet, there are countless distractions, relationships, pursuits and objects that can easily steal our affections if we are not careful. Finances, careers, family, success, possessions, ourselves- any and all of these can easily become the object of our affection, devotion, time and worship. In his book, Instruments In the Redeemers Hands, Paul David Tripp says:

"Sin leads us to believe that life can be found away from the Creator, and so we, in subtle and obvious ways, forget the Creator and deify the creation. Our behavior is ruled, not by worship and service of the Lord, but by a ravenous desire for something in the creation." 

The worship of anything other than God is futile, empty and unsatisfying. As St. Augustine has famously said, "God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."

What/who is occupying your heart and mind today? What/who is receiving your attention and devotion? Today, may we set our heart and our mind on the greatness of our God. May we wholeheartedly pursue our glorious Creator and allow nothing to deter our worship for Him.