guarding ourselves against idols.

Keep away from anything that might take God's place.
1 John 5:21

When the Israelites complained about the manna God miraculously provided, He "sent venomous serpents...they bit the people; and [many]...died" (Numbers 21:6). Eventually Israel repented and begged God to remove the snakes. So God told Moses to make a bronze serpent, mount it on a pole, and that whoever looked at it would be healed. It was an amazing provision and one that worked. So what became of it? The Bible says Hezekiah "Broke in pieces the bronze serpent...Moses had made, for...Israel burned incense to it" (2 Kings 18:4). For centuries they preserved, protected and polished it, dragging it with them everywhere, until they ended up worshipping it. Something that had once been a blessing became an idol.

Think it can't happen? John the Apostle says, "Keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." Anything or anybody can become an idol - your church, your children, your mate, your job, your home, your car, your education. Don't get the wrong idea; there's nothing wrong with enjoying these blessings. It's only wrong when they begin to take God's place!

Jesus said, "Your heart will always be where your treasure is" (Luke 12:34). And again, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Where you choose to invest your time, energy, and money, what you talk and think about, reveals what's in your heart. Christ wants to have "first place in everything" (Colossians 1:18) - without exception. Plus, when He's at the centre of your life everything else is just window-dressing.

When we think of this and if it's probably relevant to us and it has struck a chord, and we feel guilty or bitter about it, it's probably pride in the way too. Pride in ourselves and whatever that we have, which we have placed before God. At times I get overconfident in myself, in whatever I have, and God no longer takes presidence in my life. When we come to realize this, we gotta quickly repent and ask God back in our lives, to take His place as the first.

Another thing, would be the "manna" which God provided the Israelites. It was a gift from God. But what did they do with it? They complained, and they told Moses that they would be better off in Egypt, as they detest this miserable food. Now, when we're called to serve, and we serve in those minor, little areas which no one sees, we sometimes get rather frustrated, as no one sees our efforts, and no one acknowledges our efforts. It's human to want to be praised, and want to be appreciated. But if we're only seeking the praises of man, or seeking praises of man first, before the praises of God, it's as good as smacking God in the face, telling Him that whatever talent He has given us, is too small, too insignificant, and that you don't want it. You can also help your fellow brothers and sisters who might be feeling down, but encouraging them, letting them know that their works are appreciated, and most of all, God-pleasing. It might be in the service of washing up after the fellowship time, flower-arrangement, clerical work in the church office. Things that are done behind the scenes, which aren't seen on the actual Sundays itself. But this doesn't mean that they're any less important, for we all work as one body in the servitude of Christ. Amen.