Confessions of a Church: Running to Idols

The Psalm writer wrote: Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. As we come before a Holy God and hear his word, may we have eyes open to the wonderful and fearful things from his law. May it move us to repent and seek forgiveness, fear disobedience, and live in light of the grace we have received. This is the word of God. It is eternally true and applicable for all of life.

Proverbs 30:1-6 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man. Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

The author of this proverb, Agur son of Jakeh, likely a scribe in Matthew Henry's view, begins the thirtieth Proverb acknowledging his limitations in knowing anything of the spiritual realm, any true knowledge of God, apart from His grace.

He then makes a series of statements which describe acts of power, creation, and authority which can only be attributed to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In verses five and six he reminds us that it is God's written word to us in which we find all the answers to the questions which he previously posed. He acknowledges his creaturely limitations, points to God's power and authority over all creation, and encourages us to look to the supremacy of God's word as being the only source of truth to which we can look for answers to all of life's questions.

In the social media, twenty-four hour news cycle, age of information overload in which we live, it is easy to get caught up in all the frenzy of covid outbreaks, political scandal, governmental tyranny, and the unlimited entertainment options which are available. But, as all of us know, none of those things can provide us with peace, satisfy our appetites, or give us knowledge of the Holy one. Only God's word, handed down from the prophets and apostles, in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart, can do that. Yet how many of us, when faced with the trials of life, run to distractions, entertainment, social media, food, sex, work, play, or other outlets, rather than to the Word of God which Agur says is a tested shield for those who take refuge in it?

Why is it when temptations and trials come, we run immediately into the arms of worldly, material comforts, rather than into the arms of Christ Who says to us "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your souls"? Brothers and sisters, you toil in vain when you trust worldly solutions. Your pursuit of peace apart from Christ is futile and will end in heartache and disappointment. Seeking to escape life's problems by filling your mind with garbage entertainment rather than God's Word is akin to eating dung to satisfy your hunger.

Let us repent of not delighting in God's Word, for an indifferent approach to it, and for forgetting that it is applicable for all of life, whether in times of plenty and ease, or of want and tribulation.
If you are able, please join me in kneeling as we confess our sins, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Heavenly Father,
We thank You that You are intimately aware of our weak frames of dust, and are full of grace, because we seem to stumble every second of the day. Even this morning when our hearts and minds ought to be fully engaged in worshipping You, our weak flesh is distracted. Anxieties abound. Our minds wander from the worship of you to activities we have planned later today, tomorrow, or next week. Father, we are like sheep who see green pastures on the other side of the fence from where we are, and rather than being satisfied with the food and drink You give us, we wound ourselves jumping the fence, and wind up in a pit, or snare, cast down and covered in thorns and nettles.

Please forgive us sinners, and restore to us the joy of Your salvation.

In Jesus's Name we pray, amen.

Please join me in standing and listen to the comforting assurance of the grace of God, promised in the gospel to his church:

Isaiah 40:10-11 Behold, the Lord God will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

To all those who thus repent and seek Jesus Christ for their salvation, your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lift up your hearts!

(From the 03/07/2021 liturgy of Sovereign King Church written by Aaron Sabie.)