The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! [Psalm 14.2-3]
If we can and will see it, David points out the universal problem in Psalm 14 above. That universal problem is idolatry - turning away from God. It was Israel's problem before and in David's day and it is our problem today.
David also wrote in Psalm 16:
Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. [Psalm 16.4a]
Then, speaking of turning away from God, David writes:
By the power of your hand, O LORD, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants. [Psalm 17.14]
How can we dare say we do not look to the idols of this world for our reward? Can we not see that we very much look to debt, insurance, medicine, technology, and even religion and then expect God to be pleased when we declare the He gave us all these things? Have we no concern that every single one of these modern industries, in some way or another, promote every evil act or lifestyle that God detests? Do we really think, if God indeed gave us these 'blessings,' that they would defy God who gave them?
For all the practical solutions idols provide, God is jealous that we look to Him instead:
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God. [Psalm 20.7]
Again and again man's disposition to turn to idols is identified and warned against in the Bible. Again and again, God's people ignore the warnings justifying their idolatry, even in the very "religion" that allegedly worships God alone, when that religion endorses idols by declaring they are gifts from God.
Today, May 7, 2026 is the National Day of Prayer in the United States of America. Today, many will be praying for the needs and protection of this country. Many will be quoting 2 Chronicles 7.14:
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. [2 Chronicles 7.14]
Sadly, too many will pray and seek God's face today without a thought for what "turning from their wicked ways" even means, let alone actually doing it. Praying and seeking God's face is NOT repentance. Repentance is turning away from anything that has us turned away from God. How long is that list?
An idol is a substitute for any blessing God said He would provide. Debt, insurance, medicine and technology are all "ways of man" and all fit this description perfectly. Furthermore, religion has, for years, deceived many into full-blown idolatry by endorsing idols as "gifts from God" to do for us what God, in His jealousy, said He alone would do for us without "chariots or horses."
This is NOT the message the Church today wants to hear. But IT IS the message of the Bible - IT IS the message of Jesus Christ:
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
God, in His jealousy, demands distinguishing faith in His people. Jesus, naturally, as God in the flesh, insists on nothing less.
Father, on this National Day of Prayer, may there be an unscripted reckoning among Your people with Your jealousy. May this reckoning lead us to an effective "turning away" from any and everything we have trusted instead of You alone. So be it.
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