The passenger had to be carried onto the plane and carefully strapped into a first-class seat. She said nothing. As the airliner achieved cruising altitude, perhaps the flight attendants came around. "Would you like a beverage?" one may have asked. No reply. "What about a meal?" The question was ignored. Undoubtedly, the passenger said nothing. She didn't move, didn't look out the window, didn't make a sound. In fact, she didn't even breathe.
The passenger was Matsu, a gold-plated statue believed to be an actual goddess. The mainland Chinese sent her on a tour of Taiwan, some say as a ploy by Beijing to bring Taiwan eventually under its rule through cultural infiltration. The Taiwan Independence Party denounced the goddess's arrival with banners that read, "Chinese people should worship Chinese gods, Taiwanese people should worship Taiwanese gods."
The Bible bluntly rejects idolatry. Isaiah speaks of a man who chops up a tree. Half of it he burns as firewood to keep warm, and the other half he fashions into an idol and worships as his creator. "No one stops to think!" Isaiah exclaims (Isa. 44:19). The half he burnt as firewood did him more good than the other half!
The psalmist twice speaks of gods with eyes that don't see, ears that don't hear, hands that don't feel, and feet that cannot take them anywhere. Those who trust them, he says, will be like them (Ps. 115:4?8; 135:15?18).
Before we gloat over the foolishness of the blind, deaf, and mute, and unbreathing first-class passenger, let's look closer to home. We sing, "I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn from my heart." Is it true? Whatever our idols are--money or booze, sex or power, drugs or food, or just self--it is just as mistaken for us to allow these to usurp God's place as it is to think that Matsu can do anything for us.
"No other gods" means the LORD has an exclusive claim to the temple of our hearts. Our God is a jealous God. There is room for no one else. No one else can save us. No one else will hear our prayers. No one else even cares.
Copyright ?2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.
Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.
Go to his deeperstudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..It's the most powerful weapon on Earth. It can turn... Read More
I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
What we think is what we are. Our lives are... Read More
For we do not have a high priest who is... Read More
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More
You are a dual being. Part eternal spirit and part... Read More
Before we dwell on the subject of Self Realization we... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
"Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as... Read More
As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More
A Nathan type prophet sees with his eyes. A Samuel... Read More
When the storms in your life are raging, just believe,... Read More
Behold, a certain young maiden did often times and at... Read More
"Quantum Physics is the science of gods? Newtonian Physics is... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
*Advice on living a humane and compassionate life.According to text... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
Do you realize you are creating your future by the... Read More
We are living in highly challenged times. Our mass consciousness... Read More
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken... Read More
The 'As Above, So Below' law that is the combination... Read More
Paul's encouragement to the Philippians is also our encouragement. Consider... Read More
The human nature means the soul and the body. A... Read More
After first seeing my photography, people... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols.... Read More
In an edition of Reader's Digest, I stumbled upon a... Read More
In God's world, everything can be used as an anology... Read More
(Channeled)Roy-when does the end of physical life come? Is it... Read More
Job was a spiritual man who loved and obeyed God... Read More
You're probably sabotaging your successful Christian life right now if... Read More
Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in... Read More
Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More
One cannot ask why bad things happen to good people... Read More
Do you ever get into those moods where you just... Read More
If we don't behave according to a specific church's doctrine,... Read More
Matthew 2:19-23 The Return to Nazareth19 But when Herod died,... Read More
An analysis of Western man's guiding presuppositions, A Review of... Read More
For it is written in Bible in chapter 2 Peter... Read More
Anything can be used for divination; coins, tea leaves, cards,... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
Spiritual health is generally an overlooked aspect of healing. However,... Read More
There's a Native American belief that before we are born,... Read More
Can you imagine being sent out into the wilderness for... Read More
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, "Thou shalt love the... Read More
There's nothing new about "the new age" except the attitude... Read More
Who is God? This question would sound awkward to 80%... Read More
Have you ever wondered how much faith you really have?... Read More
Who among us really understands the chakras? For all that... Read More
After more than three decades of church ministry, I have... Read More
Spirituality |