Identifying Idols

Psalm 97:7 All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols—worship him, all you gods!

Idols can only be done away with if you know what they are.

This psalm starts out with much of the same language that are found in many other psalms. Verses 1-6 talk about His wonder, majesty, and power. Verses 8-12 talk about much of the same thing. Verse seven seems like an inserted statement to highlight the folly of worshiping images and idols. Images and idols are nothing in comparison to this great God Who rules the heavens.

Now in those days, it was probably quite easy to identify idols. They were erected in shrines and had prominent places in people's homes. These days, their identities are much more elusive. Idols are simply anything that comes in between me and a closer relationship with God. There are modern idols  that are more obvious than others, such as money and material things. However, idols can often masquerade as good things, such as national pride (are we more concerned with World Cup scores than studying the Bible?), or even Christian service (do we spend so much time doing the work of the Lord that we forget the Lord of the work?).

Lord help me to see what my idols are so that there is nothing between me and You.