SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 135:15.     The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
 
Oh Friends, I’ll say it quietly. Today is Monday, another work week beckons. And surprise, surprise, the response I receive is fairly good! There’s no overt resentment or whining, with a smattering of enthusiasm, but the majority portray a kind of resigned reaction in the shrug of their shoulders. Like they’re thinking, I can’t beat them, so I might as well join them. 
 
And though my people, it’s an improvement over our past reactions, it’s still not good enough for followers of Jesus. The true followers of Jesus ought to be well rested and rearing to go out and spread His Word and His Holy Name! (smile) Anyway, I know that reaction will come in time, for it’s all about growing, about maturing in Christ. So until that awesome time arrives, let’s keep on singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to raise the adrenalin and charge our batteries.
 
As one, loud and proud voice now, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
 
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
 
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
 
Okay Friends, our engines are revving and we’re ready for battle! So let’s get straight into our Bit, because I have plenty interesting scripture and scholarly thoughts to share this morning. (smile) And I hear the moans and groans in the background.
 
But yuh know, if it was celebrity news and other people’s business, there would be nary a groan, instead everybody would sit up and show interest. And then, when our God accuses us of idol worship, of not paying sufficient attention to Him and His Word, we get all upset and claim it’s not true.
 
Anyway, here’s our Bit: ‘The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.’ Now that, we all know to be indisputable truth! However, though we might know it intellectually, our disobedient and rebellious souls refuse to accept it, as our actions prove each and every day.
 
But listen to this rich and powerful scripture, the words of our wonderful and ever-LOVING, but no-nonsense God, as spoken through His prophet Isaiah. As expected, it deals with the folly of idolatry and the Lord’s promise to have His Spirit continually watch over Israel.
 
 ‘Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no (other) God (Rock); I know not any. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity (useless); and their delectable (precious) things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
 
Who hath formed a god, or molten (moulded) a graven image that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his fellows (companions) shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of (mere) men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.’ (Is.44:8-11)
 
Ah mih people, strong and truthful words indeed! And the prophet goes on to ridicule the makers of idols in God’s name, up to verse 20. Please read it, so you can get the full discourse.
 
Now hear the scholars take on all that. ’44:9-20. This expose of idolatry is the most taunting in all of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah, serving as the spokesman of Yahweh, reveals the utter foolishness of polytheistic pagan idolatry. The graven image (carved idol) is called vanity (nothing). Delectable things refers to the adornment of idols with gold, silver and precious stones.
 
The prophet announces that the idols themselves are their own witnesses, (whereas man is God’s witness). They see not, nor know. Therefore these inanimate objects are profitable for nothing. Isaiah then berates the workmen (artisans) for designing and constructing their idols in the figure of a man. He exposes the basic fallacy of idolatry, a god made in the image of man. Thus the prophet’s criticism of one who would worship an idol carved from the same tree that he would use for firewood is that he feedeth on ashes.’
 
Oh Friends, please, please, let’s ensure today that we’re not feeding on ashes, or doing any of those things idolaters are supposed to do. And remember that the worshipping of idols doesn’t only include statues and graven images, but refers to ANY and EVERYTHING which we consider more important than God, and spend so much time on or in, with little or no regard to spending time with the Most High God Jehovah!
 
So please let the Word and the Holy Spirit be our guides today, as we go out to join the enemy in battle on Jesus’ behalf this Monday morning, the last day of September 2013. It’s the only way to disprove the contention that we’re idol worshippers. Much LOVE!
 
…what’s the purpose of worshipping inanimate, immobile man made objects…who can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for us…especially when there’s already a powerful, merciful, forgiving, LIVING GOD in existence…