Don't give me that BULL!

"They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt." [Psalm 106:20-21]

Reminding us of a time when the children of Israel turned their backs on God, Psalms 106 paints a scene all too familiar. If you know the story, you know that God miraculously delivered them out of slavery. He parted the Red Sea for the children of Israel to escape, and then used that same body of water to drown the army that was pursuing them. Moses then proceeded up the mountain to receive the laws (from God) by which they were to live. It was during this 40-day period, while Moses was on the mountain with God, that the children of Israel began worshipping a bull. In choosing not to trust in His promises, they had forgotten all the great things that God had done.

It’s so easy for us to look back at the children of Israel and think, how could they? I mean, he was only gone for 40 days. That’s just over a month. How could they forget all the miraculous things that God had done in such a short period?

Are we really any different?

Are you as close to God now - as you were when you first gave your life to Him? As the anticipation mounds for youth camp or a missions trip this summer, how long will it be before you forget your experience and resign it only to a photograph posted on Facebook or an entry in your journal? How long will it be before you resign to the thought, one person can’t make a difference, I might as well not even try?

You don’t have to exchange your Glory for the bull! Now you may be thinking, do you really think I would bow down to a bull? No, I don’t. But, I do believe that we allow things of this world and in our lives to take the place of our God. Here are a few examples of what this might look like practically:

• She exchanged her Glory for a boyfriend, who “loves” her with a selfish, imperfect love.
• She exchanged her Glory for popularity, which will cause her to seek the approval of others rather than the approval of God.
• She exchanged her Glory for pursuit of physical beauty, which will leave her insecure and in a perpetual state of comparing herself with others.
• She exchanged her Glory for an intimate relationship, which will leave her emotionally scarred, with a sense of worthlessness and could even lead to pregnancy, disease or even infertility.

Can you hear Him saying, “Don’t give Me that bull, that boyfriend, those friendships or anything else – absolutely nothing can take MY place in your life?” How often do we find ourselves looking away from God and to the things around us for comfort, for healing, for happiness and joy, and even for saving? Having a boyfriend, friends or even a social life are not bad things; however, when they begin to replace God in our life, it reveals our lack of trust in Him.

Let’s make a new commitment today to keep God in His rightful place in our lives!

Written By: Cheryl Adams
Millen, Georgia

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