Today’s reading is Psalm 96.
If you have followed our devotions throughout the psalms, you have heard the term “henotheism.” Henotheism is a polytheistic concept. The henotheist believe numerous gods exist, but devotes him or herself to one god in particular. The nations surrounding Israel were often henotheists. They believed in gods of the hills and the valleys, gods of the sun, moon, and stars, gods of varying nations. However, each nation gave their allegiance to a specific god. They liked to believe their god was the most powerful or ruler of the gods. In other words, they were happy to believe YHWH existed. However, they gave devotion to the god of their land, their ancestors, their nation.
I have no doubt many Jews were themselves henotheists. They filtered their belief in YHWH through that concepts they picked up in Egypt and learned from their Canaanite neighbors. Judaism, however, was not henotheistic. YHWH is great, and is to be praised greatly, and is to be feared above every god. However, not because YHWH was simply the strongest or had more control in Israel. When the nations around Israel presented their Baals, Ashtoreths, Molechs, Ras, Marduks, Dagons, and Zeuses, Israel was not simply to believe YHWH was bigger, badder, and better than these gods. They were to understand these gods were merely worthless idols. YHWH created the heavens. The sun, moon, and stars were not divine, but creations of the truly divine One.
Of course, most of us scoff at these supposed gods. Yet, what keeps us turning to sin? Is it not the idols set up in our hearts? Jesus says we cannot serve God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24). That is, if part of our heart trusts in money, we have an idol in it. We have a god in addition to the Lord. Maybe we pursue pleasure, fame, power, ease, convenience, education. If our heart is divided, we are like those Jews who spent too much time listening to their neighbors. We like to think of YHWH as the greatest God, sure. But we still have other gods sitting on the dais with Him. And that simply won’t work. In fact, the first commandment God gave Israel was not simply condemning considering some god as greater than YHWH. It was condemning bringing other gods before Him, that is, into His presence. YHWH is not the King of our personal pantheon. He is the only God. We must follow Him with single-minded devotion, with purity of heart. Every other god is worthless. We must let Him crush and conquer all our idols. We must fear and worship Him alone.
Praise the LORD! He alone is God!
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 96.
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Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 96 prompt or improve your trust in God?