Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Judges 8 and Psalm 32

In Judges 8, Gideon was given a great victory by the LORD. With very little help from the other tribes of the land, he defeated the Midianite kings. In celebration he crafted a golden ephod. This was a garment used in the worship of the LORD, and usually worn by the high priest. Reading good intentions into the account (and we have no reason not to) we could conclude that Gideon sincerely wanted to create some sort of memorial with which to honour the LORD for the victories he had been given. But the people of Israel quickly turned to worshiping the symbol rather than the LORD. What a tragedy when God’s people choose to make symbols of God more important than God Himself. When religious rituals or “sacred items” become the centre, rather than the LORD. This is “golden calf” idolatry in disguise.

May we always guard against putting anything or anyone in the place to which only God is entitled, namely – centre stage in our worship and in our hearts.

We praise You, Lord, our hiding place in times of trouble, our Protector and Deliverer. You have rescued us from all danger in the past, and we trust You to do so again today. Give us the grace never to fall into the trap of making any religious ritual, rite, symbol, song, musical style, format or even any person the centre of our worship. May You alone be worshipped, now and forever. Amen.