Deuteronomy 32:12
“The LORD alone guided him, And there was no foreign god with him.”
The Lord has given us great freedom. The commandments were given in a negative fashion, so as to leave everything else open. If they were the ten things to do, it would imply that all the rest were suspect or forbidden.
Today’s passage speaks of God’s work in the nation of Israel. No foreign god was allowed. This is one of the restrictive commandments. It’s the first one. Exodus 20:2,3 says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.'”
This command applies to us as well. When in desperate times, we are to trust in the Lord. We don’t go to the palm reader, ask for positive thoughts, or try anything out there. That’s not trust.
He will put resources in our path that help us. People will encourage us. The creation’s beauty refreshes us. To utilize those things is still trusting God. They are part of what He’s given to bless us. If we were to use those things instead of trusting Him, then that’s idolatry.
To idolize something is when is takes the Lord’s place. Anything can be an idol; money, relationships, medicine, talent, food and so on. Interestingly enough, these things were given to us as a blessing. It’s when He is excluded or secondary is when it’s negative.
How can we tell if something is an idol? Check our hearts. Not as in a sit down inventory, but as we live life. If we are following our plans and get an impression to give it up, are we able to? It’s having a light touch on things. No strong grips. We should be able to abandon some ideas.
These impressions aren’t always God. We can test them. Lord, I’m going to proceed, please tell me if it’s a bad idea. If it’s significant, He’ll tell us.
Lord, thank You that You are our god. Help us to trust in You only. Help us to have a light touch on things.