NO OTHER GODS

“’You shall have no other gods before me.’”
Exodus 20:3

Do you remember the story of King Midas’ Golden Touch? The story goes that he had one daughter and a room full of gold. The problem was that he loved gold more than anything else, including his daughter, Marigold. When visited by a fairy one night, King Midas was granted one single wish. His request of the fairy was that anything he touched would become gold. His wish was granted and when he awoke and touched his bed, his bed turned to gold. The king was excited and began touching many items within the castle. Soon, though, he grew hungry. When he attempted to eat or drink, his food and drink also turned to gold. When his daughter came to visit him and he reached out to touch her, she too turned to gold. In his grief he beckoned for the fairy once more. “Take this golden curse from me,” he begged.
The fairy remembered back to the words the king had spoken the night before concerning nothing in life better than gold. With this, the fairy asked, “Do you still think that gold is the greatest thing in the world?” The king’s response was different now than just hours before. At this change of heart, the fairy gave the king a pitcher and told him to fill it with water and sprinkle it on the things he had touched. Quickly he ran and did so, starting first with his daughter, and then going throughout the castle pouring the water on his food, bed, and all other items touched.
King Midas learned the hard way not to put so much importance on a single item, in his case gold. But as I recall this story, I cannot help but question what items I have placed more importance on than I should have. In truth, I question what I have allowed to become a god greater than Adonai. What gods have consumed my life more than Adonai alone? I am sure my laundry list of items is lengthy, but as I look back at the things that are listed I can see none of them are really as important as Adonai. If I know that Adonai is the only one who can fill every void I have, then why do I still search in other places? Why do I still put Adonai on hold and seek out other gods? I know this is not right, and that it breaks the first commandment, yet still I find myself in this battle.
In college I dabbled with writing songs as my outlet. Not sure I was too good at it. But I wrote one song that even years later I find myself coming back to when messing around on the guitar. One verse reads:

“I see through the looking glass and search the thoughts you possess.
You say you’ve given me all there is.
But if that’s the truth then tell me why it is
That you never think of me?”

What gods stand in front of Adonai? For King Midas it was gold that served as his god. Maybe money is that god for you also. Maybe food, relationships, or work is your god. Maybe you bow down to the god of alcohol or drugs. Adonai Almighty is searching your thoughts, but does He like what He sees? Does He see you bowing down before Him, or does He see you bowing down before other gods? Only you can answer. What is your answer?

Exodus 19:20 – 20:15