Idol Worship and Filling the Void Inside

Why did the ancient Israelites spoken of in the old testament worship gods of rain, earth, fertility, and war? Life is dangerous and difficult, the Israelites wanted power and the material abundance they believed the gods of Egypt and Baal possessed to help them. They thought life was all about the material things we see and the honors of men, and they thought their gods could grant them. But most of all, they were searching for an answer to an emotional and spiritual void inside of them.

In 1 Kings 18, the prophets of Baal were defeated by Eligah’s God Jehovah in an epic battle of burnt offerings consumed by heavenly fire. Why were they defeated, because their gods were no gods at all, but vain imaginations from the creature the devil. 

Isn’t it only profitable to worship a god if that god actually exists, and if that god indeed cares about you and keeps their promises?

We may think it ludicrous that the ancient Israelites could be duped by the prophets of Baal, seeking strength where there was none. However, we can’t mock because we do the same everyday. We’re constantly chasing the things of this world instead of the things of God. Our hearts are set upon riches and the temporary pleasures and honors of this world instead of on the eternal joys of our God Jesus Christ. We have more confidence in the material to bring us peace and happiness than we do in Jesus Christ.

In reality there is only one true God and this world and its abundance is a blessing from Him. He knows of our needs and he is constantly sending resources and opportunities into our lives so that we can be industrious and take care of our families and communities. God wants us to enjoy the material gifts He has given us, but he does not want us to make the attainment of these gifts the purpose of our lives. Our purpose is to become selfless and full of love. Our purpose is to develop the attributes of Jesus Christ through obedience to God and service to our neighbor. 

Everything in this world can be used to worship Jesus Christ or it can be turned into an idol to gratify a self serving emotion. 

Let’s be wiser than our ancestors and realize that the material will not satisfy the void inside. The void is the absence of the Father in our lives, it's a spiritual separation from God created through sin and disobedience to the laws of happiness. To fill the void we must become clean through the blood of Jesus Christ. We must take up our cross and strive to be obedient to the Father in everything that we do. Then the holy spirit will come and fill our void with peace and joy. 

If you’re Christian you already know about the one true God, Jesus Christ and his promise to fill the void inside you, but are you experiencing that promise? Are you filled with peace, and guided by the Holy Spirit? Or are you struggling with your void?

Exodus 20:3 says, “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.”

Why does God make this a commandment? It's because God knows that true happiness comes when we focus on loving other people. The most miserable person in the room is the one that only thinks of themselves. If we seek to be like Jesus and do the things he did, we will obtain the peace, joy, and the freedom from the cares of the world that Jesus experiences. John 8:36 says, “Who the son sets free is free indeed.” If we will live for Jesus Christ everyday, we will be reunited with our God and become everything our soul desires.