The End of Counterfeit Gods

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (21^st Aug 2013)

“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? (Ezekiel 14:3)

We have embarked on a very long journey walking through the ‘Counterfeit Gods’ poems which were inspired by one of Timothy Keller’s bestselling books. Let us now take a step back and reflect on the discoveries that we have made throughout that journey. The sinful human heart is an idol factory which is actively and constantly manufacturing numerous assorted idols. God in his great mercy sent his most beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to take on the punishment of our sins upon the cross. We are unworthy sinners who turned away from God and deserved his judgment of eternal death in hell. But God loved us too much to leave us hanging by a thread. As unlovable and undeserving as we are, God chose to forsake his precious only Son for us so that we who believe in the atoning death of Jesus Christ could be ushered into the Kingdom of Heaven as his beloved children. Are we then still holding on to our idolatrous desires instead of surrendering them to the one true God? Have we been taking Jesus for granted and investing too much hope in the false gods of our lives?

Although counterfeit gods come in many forms, we have examined a handful of common idols such as love, money, success and power. We have seen how the quest and yearning for human love above God’s can lead to a downward spiral of idolatrous obsession, disillusionment and futility in the lives of Jacob and Leah. We have looked at how the amassing of wealth to the point of sacrificing one’s dignity, family and nation can lead to emptiness and isolation in the life of Zacchaeus. We have come to realize the stark limitations of success in bringing true relief and hope in the life of Naaman. Last but not least, I believe that our eyes have been unveiled to the fact of how we, like Nebuchadnezzar, stubbornly refuse to acknowledge God as the King of our lives but instead strive to build our own fragile kingdoms.

After having read and written much about the idols of the heart, I do not claim to have perfected the art of casting those counterfeit gods away. It is one thing to grasp intellectual knowledge and another matter to live out that knowledge. It is not the mastering of a set of techniques or the reliance on one’s will power that will crush the proliferating false gods of our lives. The expulsion of an idol will create a void which will eventually be replaced with another idol. We cannot weed out idols and leave the soil of our hearts empty in hopes that we would be completely rid of counterfeit gods. What we need is the seed of the gospel to be sown, with God’s love, into our hearts. We need to come as broken sinners before the cross of Jesus Christ and say: ‘I know there are too many idols deeply rooted in my heart which I cannot, with my own strength and dexterity, uproot. But may this love that I have for you grow in magnitude each day until it surpasses the love I hold for false gods. May my love for you be so deeply rooted in the gospel of grace that it will be able to uproot the vain idols of my heart. I know that the uprooting process will be a lifelong and painful one but please help me to seek the relief that comes after that. Amen.’         

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:3-5)

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

Counterfeit Gods: Part 6 - The Power and the Glory

Hello All,

The feeling of being in control of every event in our lives is very desirable for it gives us a sense of safety.

We lay hedges around our little world and establish our own empires in an effort to safeguard the people and things that we treasure in life.

When our empires have been established and seem to be within our control, there is a tendency to take pride in our successful conquests.

But it just takes a calamity, a problem or a predicament to befall us before we realize that the control we perceive to wield is actually transient and illusive like a mirage in a desert.

As Christians, we know that God is the one who is truly in control of every single detail of our lives and the whole universe.

Even with that knowledge, it is very human for us to forget and ignore the sovereignty of God. More often than not, we struggle to allow God to steer the course of our lives. 

Today’s narrative poem is taken from Daniel 4:4-37.

Counterfeit Gods: Part 6 - The Power and the Glory

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (29^th July 2013)

King Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful man

He had conquered and subdued many foreign lands

The empire of Babylon grew under him

Under his reign, the golden age was ushered in

One night he had a dream that brought him immense fear

He summoned all the wise men so that they could hear

His dream and provide the right interpretation

But they failed to come to a correct conclusion

At last, Daniel who was an exile from Israel

Was brought before the king who related the tale

Of his unresolved dream to Daniel who once had

Interpreted his previous dream as a young lad

'Behold, I dreamed of a great and towering tree

That provided ample food and shade for many

Its leaves were beautiful and its top reached the skies

I could see no other trees that could grow so high

And then I saw a watcher came down from heaven

Who made a loud and commanding proclamation

He said 'Chop down the tree and lop off its branches

Let all those that took shade flee to other places

But let the stump of its root remain in the ground

With a band of iron and bronze, let it be bound

Let him be wet and drenched with the dew of heaven

With the beast of the field, let him share his portion

Let his mind be transformed from a man's to a beast's

Until the passing of the seven period lease

So that all may know that God rules earthly kingdoms

And sets lowly men over them in his wisdom''

Daniel's thoughts alarmed him; he knew not what to do

The king said ‘Let not this dream of mine alarm you'

'My Lord, may this dream be for your adversaries

And its interpretation for your enemies!

O great king, the tree that you saw represents you

Your success and accomplishments have not been few

Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven

To the ends of the earth you have gained dominion

But just as the great and mighty tree was chopped down

With only its stump heavily bound to the ground

So shall you be driven away from among men

And your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the land

Drenched with dew and like an ox you shall eat grass

Then over you shall seven periods of time pass

When you acknowledge that God rules earthly kingdoms

And sets lowly men over them in his wisdom

As it was decreed to leave the stump of the tree

God shall restore your kingdom, strength and sanity

My counsel to you: repent of your trespasses

By showing mercy and practicing righteousness'

The king remained unrepentant after a year

The one true God he did not acknowledge and fear

One day as he was casually strolling along

The roof of the royal palace of Babylon

He gazed at the greatness and wealth of his country

'Is this not Babylon which I've built mightily

As a royal residence and powerful city

For the splendour and glory of my majesty?'

While he was speaking, a voice fell from heaven

'O king, the prophecy that has been spoken

And interpreted by Daniel will befall you

Until you repent and know what you ought to do'

Thus, the prophecy was fulfilled immediately

Till the king understood and learned humility

At the end of the long seven periods of time

The king looked up to the LORD who restored his mind

Like the king, have you been prideful of your kingdom?

Do you run life your way and reject God's wisdom?

Repent of your arrogant ways and prideful thoughts

Submit to Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord

Points for Reflection:

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” (Daniel 4:27)

·         Do you notice God giving you warning signs to repent of your pride and turn to him? Those warning signs could be your Christian family, friends, a sermon, a song or perhaps even the words of this email which are gently rebuking you for your self-sufficiency and arrogance.

·         Have you been ignoring those warning signs? If so, do not persist in ignoring such signs but repent and allow Jesus to take the wheel of your life.

At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:29-30)

·         Even after being aware of God’s warnings, do you still persist in being the king of your own life?

·         Do not persist in your arrogance but allow Jesus to be your King who determines what is right and wrong.

While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (Daniel 4:31-32)

·         King Nebuchadnezzar refused to repent for twelve long months even after receiving God’s warning through a dream. His pride reached its climax when he exclaimed proudly to himself about the power of his own might in establishing the kingdom of Babylon. God’s discipline followed immediately after he uttered those arrogant words.

·         God’s discipline is never pleasant but painful. But God disciplines us so that we would repent of our sins, put our trust in him and be saved from eternal judgment in hell for our sins. God would not discipline us if he did not love us and he does so for our own good.

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 ESV)

·         Are you experiencing God’s discipline because of your pride and stubbornness? If so, take heart for God is trying to save you from persisting in your sin which leads to eternal death.

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34)

·         King Nebuchadnezzar finally repented of his sins and acknowledged God as the sovereign and most powerful Ruler of the universe. When he had learned his lesson, God restored his sanity and kingdom to him. If God had not disciplined him at all, his heart would not have turned to God’s saving grace.

·         Have you repented of your pride and submitted to Jesus as your Saviour and Lord? There are two ways to live -

1. Be the king of your own life and reject Jesus as your king. This ultimately leads to eternal death in hell.
2. Repent of your sins and allow Jesus to be the king of your life. This ultimately leads to eternal life in heaven.

·         Which way are you heading towards?

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36)

Counterfeit Gods: Part 5 - The Seduction of Success: Naaman’s Resolution

Hello All,

Last week we focused on and examined ‘Naaman’s Humility’ (2 Kings 5:8-14).

Today, we will be looking at ‘Naaman’s Resolution’ (2 Kings 5:15-17).

The part of the poem that we will be emphasizing on today is highlighted in blue. 

Counterfeit Gods: Part 5 - The Seduction of Success: Naaman’s Resolution

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (18^th July 2013)

There once was a man named Naaman, the commander

Of the army of Syria who found great favour

With his master for he was a man of valour

Who won many battles but he was a leper

He could not rejoice or bask in his achievements

For his disease found no cure in any treatments

His body was wasting away as time went by

He was like a walking dead man who would soon die

Naaman's wife had a little slave girl who was captured

During a raid in Israel and placed under her

The girl's compassion for her enemy was pure

She told Naaman's wife about a potential cure

'There is a mighty prophet of God from my land

Who could heal my Lord's leprosy with healing hands'

Naaman eagerly made this known to his master

'Go now and I'll send to Israel's king a letter'

So Naaman brought gifts of clothing, gold and silver

And he delivered them with his master's letter

To the king of Israel as goodwill offerings

In exchange for Naaman's miraculous healing

The king of Israel received and read the letter

He tore his robes in despair for he couldn't offer

Miraculous healing for Naaman's leprosy

So he viewed this as a threat from his enemy

Elisha heard of the king's great predicament

He passed a message to the king through his servant

'Why do you tear your clothes, why does your courage fail?

Let him come now to me, a prophet of Israel'

With his horses and chariots, Naaman came swiftly

He reached the prophet's house with great expectancies

But instead of Elisha it was his servant

Who met him at the door, the prophet was absent

'Go and wash seven times in the Jordan River

Then your flesh shall be restored, you shall recover

And you shall be clean' the servant passed the message

To Naaman who went away from the house in rage

'Behold, I thought that the prophet would come to me

And call upon his God to cure me instantly!

Are not the rivers of Damascus better than

All the waters and seas of this Israelite land?!'

But Naaman's servants urged him to reconsider

The great healing that Elisha had to offer

'The prophet has spoken a mighty word, my Lord,

'Wash and be clean', so that your illness may be cured'

So he dipped himself seven times in the river

His flesh was restored, he had never felt better

His flesh had become like that of a little child

For the first time in so long, he finally smiled

Then he returned to the great prophet with his men

'There is no God in all the earth but in this land

Please accept now this humble gift from your servant'

But Elisha refused to receive the present

After much urging, Elisha did not relent

He refused to take the glory and the present

For it was his God and not him who healed Naaman

He was just God’s appointed prophet and servant

Then Naaman requested for two mule loads of earth

He vowed to forsake other gods which had no worth

And to worship only the LORD God of this land

Who cleansed, healed and redeemed him with his mighty hands 

Like Naaman, do you take pride in your achievements?

Is your identity based on accomplishments?

Do you exalt your talents and abilities?

Are your hopes placed in your intellect and money?

The successes of this life are temporary

Worshipping them would just leave you feeling empty

Cast away your worthless idols and selfish pride

Commit your life to Jesus and in him abide

THE END.

Points for Reflection:

·         Elisha the great prophet was truly virtuous for he did not take the glory for Naaman’s healing. It was actually very tempting for him to just soak in the praises of men but he chose to honour God.

·         Are you tempted at times to take pride in yourself rather than giving glory to God? What areas of your life do you tend to be proud of?

One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

He [God] leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (Psalm 25:9)

·         Naaman had been worshipping the gods of his land who could never hear or answer his prayers. For those idols were carved out by the hands of mere men. But he found the one true God who had not only heard and answered his prayers but had made him realized that he is a sovereign God. He forsook all his idols and made a resolution to follow this one true God wholeheartedly. God had not only brought him through a journey of recovery and humility but he ultimately led him to a journey of salvation. What I find most beautiful about this story is not the fact that a leper was healed of leprosy but that a pagan commander came to put his trust in the one true God.

·         Have you put your trust in Jesus Christ? Have you forsaken all your idols to follow him? What are the idols of your heart that you are still clinging on to?

Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. (Jonah 2:8)

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. (Psalm 135:15-17)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

For I [Apostle Paul] am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)