Judges 6: 25-35, 2 Corinthians 13: 5, Mark 12: 30

Heather Bellamy
Heather Bellamy

I believe in our nation idols have been erected in place of God. Many idols. Many of us have grown up knowing idol worship more than the worship of the One True God. I am sure there are many idols I can't think of but here's a few which I believe are erected in our land higher than God:

1. Self - our own minds and intellect
2. Education
3. Science
4. Money
5. Our homes
6. Our families & friends
7. Clothes
8. Our beauty & image

None of the above things are wrong. In fact I am sure God would want us to have them all. But He wants to be the foundation on which everything else is built.

Before we can tear down idols in our nation though, we have to tear them down in our own lives and hearts. Read Judges 6: 25-35. God asks Gideon to 'tear down the altar of Baal that your father has and cut down the wooden image that is beside it.' I believe God was testing Gideon. To fulfil the word about being a 'mighty man of valor' (see verse 12) he had to overcome his fears and tear down the idols of the land that were in his own life. If he couldn't do that, he couldn't have defeated the Midianites. The idols would have been in his heart above God. The fear of the effect of the idols would have been in his heart above the fear of God. He had to learn obedience.

If we want God to come back to our land like He did in the time of Gideon; If we want to see His works and not just hear of the ones of old (see verse 13) then we're going to have to tear down some altars in our own lives and not worship the same things as the world we live in. We're going to have to take a stand in our own lives.

Let the light of God shine into your life. Examine yourself to see if you're in the faith (2 Corinthians 13: 5). Throw away those things which take you away from God and distract your heart and mind. Learn to worship Him with your whole heart, mind and strength (Mark 12: 30).

If we give Him everything, if we make our hearts altars for Him and put on there the 'burnt offerings' and 'sacrifices' of an obedient and faithful life, maybe we'll see Him come with the fire of His presence onto that good and pleasing sacrifice and maybe, just maybe, He'll bring change to our nation. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.