The God We Trust—Or Do We?

God Alone: Guarding Your Heart from Modern Idols

From Baal to Bank Accounts: Recognizing the Idols We Serve

Unmasking the Modern Idol Factory

A Reflection on Deuteronomy 13:1–3

“Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—do not listen to them.”

—Deuteronomy 13:1–3

Signs and Wonders in a World Full of Competing Gods

Imagine living in the ancient Near East around 1400–1200 BC. Moses and the Israelites have just come out of centuries of slavery in Egypt, where gods like Ra, Isis, Osiris, and Horus dominated the religious landscape. Pharaoh himself was considered divine. Every plague that God unleashed in Egypt directly confronted one of these false gods—Yahweh showing His power not just over Pharaoh, but over Egypt’s entire spiritual system.

Now, as the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan, they are about to encounter the gods of the Amorites, Moabites, Philistines, and Phoenicians—names like Baal, Asherah, Molech, and Dagon. These gods were worshipped through carved images, temple prostitution, and in the case of Molech, horrific child sacrifice.

This was not a spiritually neutral world. It was a world filled with fear, competition, and rituals designed to manipulate nature or curry favor with regional deities. The prevailing belief was that the strongest god was the one who brought military victory, rain for the harvest, and prosperity for the people.

Into this context, Moses warns the people: Even if someone comes along with supernatural power—dreams, signs, or miracles—do not follow them if they lead you to worship any god but Yahweh, the God who brought you out of Egypt.

Eugene Peterson paraphrases it poignantly in The Message:

“God, your God, is testing you to find out if you totally love him with everything you have in you.” (Deuteronomy 13:3)

Idolatry Then and Now

To the Israelites, the temptation to blend in was real. Worshiping Baal might mean better crops. Offering incense at the high places might help a woman conceive. These false gods offered tangible results—if you just bowed down and played along.

But idolatry, as Moses teaches, is more than ritual. It’s about the heart. Who do you trust? Who do you love most? Who do you believe gives you life?

Tim Keller puts it like this in Counterfeit Gods:

“An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”

Even today, idolatry may not involve golden calves or carved poles—but it absolutely involves misplaced trust. Money. Status. Power. Comfort. Fame. Technology. Health. Family. Political ideologies. When we expect any of these to give us identity, purpose, or salvation—they become idols.

And like Baal or Molech, they will always disappoint.

A Capital Offense—Why So Serious?

Moses’ instruction was severe: Do not tolerate idolatry, even if it comes from a prophet, a friend, or a family member. In Deuteronomy 13, such behavior could result in the death penalty. Why so harsh?

Because idolatry, unchecked, would unravel Israel’s identity. It would lead to national collapse. Later history proves this true—by the time of the kings of Israel, rulers like Ahab and Manasseh led the people into idol worship, even establishing altars to Baal in the temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem. Eventually, these compromises led to the Babylonian exile in 586 BC.

As C.S. Lewis observed:

“Every time you make a choice, you are turning the central part of you… into something a little different than it was before.”

Idol worship doesn’t start with bowing down—it starts with a decision to trust something other than God.

Jesus and the Restoration of the Heart

Fast forward to the first century, and we meet Jesus in Luke 8—walking the dusty roads of Galilee, healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead. He encounters people who had likely grown up under Roman occupation, where Caesar Augustus and later Tiberius Caesar were worshipped as gods. In every city, temples to Zeus, Apollo, or the emperor cult competed for people’s loyalty.

In this spiritual fog, Jesus brings clarity. When the bleeding woman reaches out to Him, He doesn’t say, “You need to go to the temple.” He says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)

And then He sends out His disciples with nothing but His authority—no money, no security, no backup. Why? Because He wanted them to trust Him, not their resources.

“Take nothing for the journey… proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick.” (Luke 9:3,6)

It’s the same test Moses described centuries earlier: Will you follow signs, or will you follow God?

Our Modern Temples

We may not sacrifice goats on stone altars, but we certainly sacrifice time, energy, and devotion to the gods of productivity, image, self-fulfillment, and success.

Dallas Willard said it clearly:

“The greatest threat to devotion to Christ today is not heresy but distraction.”

We are tempted to build temples in our hearts to anything that promises control or comfort—anything but the Cross.

Examine and Return

What are your idols?

What have you turned to for identity, control, or rescue?

God’s call is not just to remove idols, but to return to Him. He alone is worthy of worship, and He alone gives life. Like the psalmist in Psalm 71, we can say:

“In you, Lord, I have taken refuge… For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Psalm 71:1,5)

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to the idols I’ve allowed into my life. Teach me to see through their empty promises and return to You as my only refuge and hope. Whether I am surrounded by the gods of culture or the distractions of comfort, give me discernment and devotion to follow You fully. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Silent Years

Between Loss and Renewal

Navigating Grief Between Abel’s Death and Seth’s Birth

From Mourning to Mercy

Eve’s Path Through Tragedy to Hope

Adam knew his wife again, 

and she bore a son and called his name Seth, 

for she said, ‘God has appointed for me another offspring 

instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.

Genesis 4:25 

The early chapters of Genesis narrate profound events that shape human history: creation, fall, fratricide, and the continuation of lineage. Among these narratives lies a subtle yet significant period—the gap between Abel’s tragic death and the birth of Seth. This interval, though not detailed in Scripture, invites contemplation on themes of grief, hope, and God’s faithfulness.

The Chronology: Understanding the Timeline

Scripture provides specific ages that help frame this period:

• Genesis 5:3 notes that Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born.

Given that Cain and Abel were born after Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden and before Seth’s birth, it’s plausible that Abel’s death occurred when Adam was between 120 to 130 years old. This suggests that Adam and Eve endured the loss of Abel and the estrangement of Cain for perhaps a decade or more before Seth’s arrival.

The Weight of Grief: Living in the In-Between

The Bible does not elaborate on Adam and Eve’s experiences during this period. However, one can imagine the depth of their sorrow: the loss of a son to murder and the effective loss of another to exile. This dual tragedy might have cast a long shadow over their lives, a period marked by mourning, reflection, and a yearning for restoration.

The Birth of Seth: A Testament to Renewed Hope

After this indeterminate period of grief, Eve gives birth to Seth. Her proclamation, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him” (Genesis 4:25), reflects a profound acknowledgment of divine mercy and restoration. Seth’s birth symbolizes a new beginning, a continuation of the divine promise amidst human brokenness.

Theological Reflections: Lessons from the Silent Years

1. Endurance Through Uncertainty: The gap underscores the human experience of enduring prolonged periods of pain and uncertainty, awaiting divine intervention.

2. Faith Amidst Silence: Adam and Eve’s story during this time, though unrecorded, likely involved a deep reliance on faith, teaching us about trusting God’s plan even when immediate evidence of His work is not visible.

3. Restoration and Continuity: Seth’s birth signifies that God’s purposes prevail despite human failures, ensuring the continuation of His redemptive plan.

Embracing the In-Between Moments

The gap between Abel’s death and Seth’s birth, though briefly mentioned, carries profound implications. It serves as a reminder that in life’s silent and painful intervals, there lies the potential for renewal. God’s faithfulness persists, bringing hope and restoration, even when the path is shrouded in uncertainty.

Reflecting on this period encourages us to find solace in God’s unwavering commitment to His creation, trusting that after seasons of loss, there awaits the promise of new beginnings.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in the quiet stretches of our grief, when answers seem distant and comfort feels fleeting, remind us of Your unwavering presence. Just as You granted Eve the blessing of Seth after her profound loss, instill in us the hope that renewal follows sorrow. Help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to find solace in Your promises. May our hearts remain steadfast, knowing that even in our deepest pain, You are at work, bringing forth new beginnings. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Walking the Word

How God’s Messengers Live and Speak

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Luke 6:45 

Being a messenger of God is a weighty and wonderful calling. Whether you’re preaching, encouraging a friend, sharing your faith at work, or parenting your children in truth and love, you’re serving as a vessel of God’s Word. Today’s readings offer ten key insights—or “top tips”—for those who long to speak for God.

1. Keep Your Heart Right (Luke 6:45)

What comes out of our mouths reveals what’s truly in our hearts. We can’t fake it for long. The best preparation for being God’s messenger is a heart constantly being cleansed, renewed, and filled with the Spirit.

Dallas Willard emphasized, “The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become.” The heart is the wellspring of a messenger’s words. A transformed heart speaks life because it overflows with the goodness of Christ. Without ongoing inner renewal, our message becomes hollow or harsh.

C.S. Lewis echoes this: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” God often purifies the heart through trials, making our witness more authentic.

2. Avoid Condemnation (Luke 6:37)

Jesus urges us not to judge or condemn. A messenger of God must remember that we are not the Judge, but witnesses to His grace. Extend mercy as you’ve received it.

John Stott warned that “we have no right to pronounce final judgment on another, for we are not God.” A true messenger reflects Christ’s mercy, not a spirit of superiority. We are called not to condemn but to point toward redemption.

Eugene Peterson translates Luke 6:37 in The Message as: “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” God’s messenger speaks with compassion.

3. Give Freely (Luke 6:38)

Generosity is a hallmark of those who represent God. Whether in material things, time, love, or truth—give freely, and God will pour more into you.

 Charles Spurgeon preached, “God will not let you give more than He can give back to you.” God’s messengers are generous in spirit, truth, love, and time. We sow into others without fear, because our God supplies abundantly.

Richard Foster writes in Celebration of Discipline, “The life that is unhurried and open to others is the life that is full of spiritual power.” Giving freely of ourselves allows space for the Spirit to work through us.

4. Walk in Integrity (Psalm 37:37)

God delights in the blameless. People may not always agree with your message, but if your life reflects peace and righteousness, they’ll see the difference.

William Barclay observed, “The upright person will have enemies, but God watches over their life.” Integrity doesn’t always win friends, but it earns respect and aligns the messenger with the message.

Alexander Maclaren notes, “Integrity is not sinlessness, but sincerity.” God’s messenger must be real, honest, and humble.

5. Expect Opposition (Psalm 37:32)

The wicked may lie in wait for the righteous—but the Lord will not leave His messengers defenseless. Expect resistance, but trust God’s protection.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who stood firm under Nazi persecution, said: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” God’s message often disrupts the world’s comfort. Expect rejection, but trust the Lord to defend and deliver you.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “We are not necessarily safe, but we are secure.” The path of God’s messenger is risky but protected by divine promise.

6. Listen Before You Speak (Numbers 22:31-35)

Balaam’s donkey had to speak before he finally opened his ears to God. Don’t be so fixed on your own path that God has to block you dramatically. Pause. Listen. Let Him guide you.

Eugene Peterson warns: “Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It is essentially laziness… it lets others determine what I shall do instead of resolutely deciding myself.” Balaam didn’t listen until forced to. We must slow down and seek God’s voice before speaking.

John Wesley said, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” Listening begins with prayer.

7. Speak Only What God Gives (Numbers 23:12)

Even Balaam, flawed though he was, said, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?” God’s messengers don’t invent their own message. We are carriers, not creators.

Jeremiah 1:9 shows God putting His words in the prophet’s mouth. Likewise, Charles Spurgeon reminds preachers: “It is not your sermon, but God’s Word that saves.” A faithful messenger speaks God’s truth, not their own agenda.

Eugene Peterson framed preaching as “bringing the Word across a distance, from God’s heart to the human heart.”

8. Keep Learning Humility (Luke 7:6-9)

The Roman centurion understood authority and humility—he knew Jesus could speak healing with a word. God’s messengers are under authority and must speak with both humility and boldness.

Andrew Murray wrote, “Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” The centurion recognized Jesus’ authority and his own unworthiness. God’s messengers never graduate from the school of humility.

Dallas Willard said, “The surest mark of a disciple is not knowledge but love—and humility flows from love.”

9. Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:39-40)

Find your strength, hope, and security in the Lord. He is the source of your salvation and your message. Trust in Him fully, and He will rescue you.

John Piper declares, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Joy in the Lord fuels the messenger’s perseverance. When others oppose, the delight of the Lord is strength.

Matthew Henry comments: “God’s help is laid up for His people, and shall in due time be laid out upon them.” Rest in that promise.

10. Let Your Life Confirm Your Words (Psalm 37:37 )

It’s not just what we say, but how we live. As Psalm 37 says, the future of the blameless is peace. Make sure your life is in step with your lips.

Francis of Assisi is often quoted (though paraphrased): “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” The power of the message is most compelling when the life of the messenger reflects Christ’s beauty and truth.

Richard Baxter, the Puritan pastor, once prayed, “Lord, let me not be a blot, but a blessing.” A godly life is the loudest sermon.

Closing Reflection:

Being God’s messenger isn’t about eloquence, charisma, or popularity—it’s about faithfulness, humility, integrity, and love. As you speak for God today—at home, in prayer, through writing, or over coffee—may your heart be full of Jesus, and may His words flow from your life.

Prayer

Lord, make me a faithful messenger. Fill my heart with your truth, so my words will flow from your Spirit. Keep me humble, courageous, and grounded in your Word. Help me speak only what you give, and live in a way that glorifies you. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria