American Idols - Psalm 106:20-21

"They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt" (Psalm 106:20-21, NLT).

This Psalm recounts the sin and rebellion of Israel during the exodus from Egypt.

The Israelites committed a major act of idolatry while Moses was on the mountain receiving God's law for His chosen people.

What happened to the Israelites in Egypt can happen to Christians today. It's just that we describe it using different terminology rather than the term "idolatry."

But it's still the same old sin and rebellion!

And, if we're not careful, the mindset of the world and culture in which we live can overcome us as we go about trying to get ahead and achieve the American dream.

We won't even realize it is happening!

We marginalize God for our own American idols, yet in inconspicuous ways:

• We sit in front of the TV for several hours each day instead of using our time to study God's word and learn more about Him; thus we trade our glorious God for the idol of mindless entertainment.
• We charge up our credit cards so that we don't have money to pay our tithes because we are trying to pay our bills; thus we trade our glorious God for the idol of uncontrolled consumption.
• We get so busy with work and family activities that we don't have time for family prayer or helping those in need; thus we trade our glorious God for the idol of meaningless action.

Maybe it's time to re-evaluate your priorities and check to see if idolatry is slipping into your faith unnoticed, causing you to forget Jesus, your glorious Savior, who has done such great things in your life!  

"Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you" (Psalm 106:47, NLT)