Nougat 18

Amid the anxiety of our time, a major consideration for us is discerning who or what our god is. Before you get annoyed about that comment, please remember that idols are whatever we worship (object or person to which we give most of our time). In that regard, let us consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Deuteronomy 3:23-24 CEVDCI

[23] At that time I prayed and begged,

[24] “Our Lord, it seems that you have just begun to show me your great power. No other god in the sky or on earth is able to do the mighty things that you do.

No Other God

In our Nougat, Moses was reminding the Children of Israel of YHWH’s centrality in their journey from Egypt. Perhaps he hoped this would have encouraged them of God’s direct and specific intervention in their journey, fostering a deeper devotion to YHWH.

(We note that Moses spoke from his personal relationship with God. But that was not the relationship all the Children of Israel had with God. Many had not yet experienced a saving faith, despite YHWH being a source of protection, provision, and direction. There were even skeptics within his extended family.)

Point to Ponder

As we reflect on defining moments in our lives where God was present, providing, and protecting, how did our experience of God’s intervention impact our faith?

Digging Deeper

Moses’ experiences of God’s direct intervention in the Children of Israel’s lives fully convinced him of YHWH’s might. It began with Moses eventual acceptance of God’s call, which was demonstrated by his obedience to, and a deepened relationship with God. The evidence before him was irrefutable: YHWH was greater than all the gods of Egypt. YHWH’s power manifested in Egypt and on the 40-year journey surpassed that of the magicians’ gods. And, to top it all, YHWH’s might outranked all the military forces the Children of Israel encountered in the wilderness.

But, as stated earlier, it didn’t always translate to everyone believing in and trusting YHWH. The Children of Israel chafed under Moses’ direction, and rebelled against him, even to the point of questioning his authority (see Numbers 16). Exodus 32 tells us that the mistrust was extended to their faith in YHWH. When to them it seemed Moses spent too much time in the mountain with YHWH, they promptly made themselves an idol – the golden calf. They didn’t have a personal God encounter.

Unfortunately, this is not only about the attitude of people back then. We might not necessarily rebel against our spiritual leaders publicly. But, in subscribing to the rhetoric of plastic prophets, power-hungry politicians, and prosperity preachers, some of us have been guilty of idolatry. When we present as faithful believers but fail to believe in God’s power to save, provide, deliver, and protect, we are guilty of idolatry (see 2 Timothy 3:5).

For some of us, those are not serious challenges to our faith. It could be however, that we have placed our trust in what others say, rather than developing our own relationship God. That is equally dangerous. Others of us value possessions we own to the extent that our possessions seem to own us. We may fail to recognize that that is also idolatry.

Moses’ comment demands that we recognize God’s supremacy above all else, and that all other idols are not as powerful as YHWH is.

Self-Check

Where have we been investing our faith, and does God have priority in our lives?

—

May all we seek be found in Christ