Who is your god?  To some, this might seem like a simplistic question, but to others, the choice is not really clear.  In our global society, we often hear of many beings that are worshiped. The Israelites were faced with the same dilemma as they neared the Promised Land of Canaan, the history of which was in #23 of the 52 Week Challenge recorded in the book of Deuteronomy.  Many different nations stood in front of them, each with their own different religious practices, customs and gods.  And God had just finished outlining His Law to the Israelites.  So, imagine you are in their shoes.  You've just been given a rather detailed set of moral guidelines to follow.  Now you are preparing to enter a new land with new people that embrace any imaginable practice (including burning their babies on an idol's altar) in the name of pleasing their gods.  Just find the right "god" and pretty much anything goes.  Prostitution, drunkenness, adultery, human sacrifice, ...you name it, someone's god says it is O.K. and even considered worship.

Yet the God of the Bible calls His children to a higher moral standard.

Why would anyone choose to follow such strict morality when the rest of the world can do as they please, just by choosing to follow another god?

Here are two answers:

God is The God.  The world may follow many religious, or non-religious practices.  But at the end of it all, Jehovah God is supreme.  He is either supreme or He is a liar.  These words above do not allow for any other options.

Consider, too, these words.

The earth, heavens, and all that exists in either belong to the Lord God.  He is Creator and Sustainer of all that is.  As Creator, who better would know what is best for His creation?  As our Father, who better would love and care for His children? 

So, yes, we could choose to follow other gods.  Many can be named throughout the world.  Or we can choose to follow after other kinds of "gods," such as the gods of selfishness, pride, and self-gratification, all of which boil down to naming myself as my god.  With all of these options, why would we choose a god that calls us to holiness and purity?

Consider these words spoke to the Israelites as they pondered this question:

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you,

but to fear the Lord your God,

to walk in all His ways,

to love Him,

to serve the Lord your God

with all your heart and with all your soul

and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord

which I am commanding you today

for your good."

(Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

Wait a second!  That's a pretty tall order!  How is that supposed to motivate me to choose this God?

The answer is in the last three words:  "for your good."  The Creator knows His Creation.  He knows what environment and choices will lead to the best life.  He is the Author of the Human Owner's Manual.  And He knows that the guidance He provides is for our own good.  We, sometimes, in our relative infancy, cannot understand His Wisdom, just as a toddler does not always understand the guidance or restrictions a loving parent provides.  Yet, in trust, we can with confidence say that following God is our best option, for our own good.

So the final charge:

Who is your God?

_______

As always, thanks for reading.

Rachel

Rachel Welborn

Come and See Photography