O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; your faithfulness comes from me. Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

– Hosea 14:8-9

On my desk at this very moment sit three statues. One is of Sidney Crosby, because I so admire his grit and determination. Another is famed director J.J. Abrams, because I feel like sometimes life could use some direction. And the third is a difficult to describe monster, hideous and ugly, wearing a Superman costume. I got this little guy in seminary to remind me that something doesn’t need to be perfect to be awesome. As I read this passage from Hosea, I wonder what the difference between these little figurines and idols would be. Don’t I have some idols sitting on my desk right now?

No, or at least I don’t think so anyway. An idol is something that supersedes the value we give to God. My bet is that many of us have idols, and few of those are statues of any kind. Some folks value money over God. Some folks value their political party over God. Some value their own identity over God.

Hosea wants to condemn these things not because they’re bad for you (they are), but more because they will never, ever, match the power and love that God has. So go ahead and hold on to the Superman action figures, but remember to keep God in God’s proper place.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for the love and guidance you give me each day. Help me to place You above all else so I may faithfully follow your way. Amen. 

– Jason Freyer