The celebrations are over, the holiday excess is finished hopefully. Now it's time to get on with it.
Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight.
Isaiah 46:1
False gods and idols are a heavy burden for the spiritual people who have to carry them. They're inanimate and incapable without the burden of their creators. Men made the god and they animated it.
In contrast our God, our Father in heaven carries our burden, supports our situations, and delivers us according to his purpose.
Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.
Psalm 68:19
Friends, if you were asked to make an image of Our Father God, what would he look like? What form would he take? Maybe a tree? Maybe a strong animal? Maybe the moon? Maybe he'd look powerful and intellectual? Maybe he'd look like you?
So now you've got your image carved and he's on the pedestal, and there he sits. And now we wait. He's not doing anything. Better worship him. Worship harder. Give it silver and gold. Say your prayers and pick him up.
It's the new year. And so many will fashion for themselves a new god to guide them into the dark days ahead. Tomorrow is an unknown future. People are destined to suffer aimlessly. The test of the new year begins today. The styles and trends of the modern era are already set to produce the emotional consciousness of this pagan age. Do nothing, choose nothing, change nothing, repent of nothing, and your path is already set before you by the idols of this culture.
The hours perish and are laid to our charge. The devil is in the details. What did you do with this time? What was the source of your power? What will your contribution be? Having once learned the will of God it is not for us to leave it left undone.
Life begins today. Your opportunity to speak up for your faith in Christ begins today. Today is the day to begin challenging the false gods. Today you will begin to stand continually in the presence and will of God. Today you'll begin praying in the spirit more often. Today you'll serve the Lord better with more thoughtful study of his word. Today you begin to give him your time.
LORD, help us to see Your timing, Your details, and Your priorities for our lives this day, in Jesus’ name.