God Who?

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21 (NIV)

Along the dusty paths of the wide road we find many religious markings.  It is evident that the sojourners are no stranger to worship. They have made many gods that they find suitable for worship.  Like the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai they used their best efforts to forge a deity that they could identify with in worship.  The golden calf was a familiar image from their past. They had knelt at his altar many times. The tragedy of the golden calf is that it was built in the shadow of the Most High.  The people could see the smoke rising from the mountain, they had heard the voice of the Lord, they watched as Moses climbed into God’s presence but still they fashioned a familiar god. 

Paul tells us in our verse this week that “they glorified Him not as God”.  This is the thread that runs through the pilgrims on the wide road. Every man doing what is right in his own eyes and heart, feeling justified by his own works, refusing to receive what God has plainly revealed.  In the ageless past Lucifer refused to glorify God instead desiring to become as God.  This is the danger of self centeredness.  He sought equality with God and felt slighted by the glory of God.   It made him mad.  He grew bitter every time God spoke.  He rejected God’s warnings.  He believed that He was capable of being the master of his own destiny.  Pride consumed him until there was no pretending anymore and open rebellion broke out in heaven.  Lucifer was so special in heaven that one third of the angels were deceived by his lies. That means they had trusted him before his fall.  God had been good to Lucifer giving him much but in the end it was ingratitude and selfishness that drew Satan to the Wide Road.  It is that way with everyone on that road.

If only the Israelites had looked up at the mountain of God.  If they had trusted in God’s love and grace.  Sometimes it is that grace that is the very thing that makes us falter.  Why would God love us?  Why would He care about us?  The darkened heart cannot imagine a love that loves unconditionally, that reaches out to the unlovable, but that is exactly what God has done.  He has seen the images built along the road and called us to look upon Him.  Turn from our false gods and false security and receive Truth in our inner parts. It seems that the history of Israel is replete with false gods and rebellion.  It is also covered with the unfailing love of the One True God who relentlessly pursues His love and even purchases her from slavery.

The gods of our making are easy to accept but they do not love us. We may pursue them but they will never pursue us.  The One True God loved us when we did not love Him.  He pursued us when we resisted Him and His mercies endure forever.  His way is straight and His path is narrow but He promises to never leave us and His love endures forever.