Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Every culture and tribe
upon the earth has some sort of religion and some sort of
God. All men give allegiance to the God of their own design
and choosing. The gods of the Amorites, the
Perizzites, the Philistines, the Buddhists, the Hindus, or
the Muslims are all of equal power and ability. In fact, this
is exactly what Joshua told the children of Israel when he admonished
them at Shechem. He said if they felt like it
was wrong to serve the true and living God, then they should
choose one from among the gods they had seen. It really didn't
matter which one they chose out of that lot because they were
all the same. But, he said, as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord. The Philistines discovered that their god, Dagon,
had some limitations when he was in the presence of the true
and living God as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into
the Temple of Dagon. Men feel comfortable with the
nice little god who wouldn't hurt a fleet and is always right
there where they left him. They can explain everything that
he does. He always leaves everything up to their choice and free will.
He wants to do so much for them if only they'll let him. In fact,
he helps those who help themselves. They can choose to be faithful
to him or just pretend to be, because he won't know the difference.
He can be accessed night and day according to their own desire,
much like a large vending machine. He is especially impressed by
religious talk and big offerings of money and talent, not to mention
great feats of faith and cross-bearing. David described such gods when
he said, they have mouths, but they speak not. Eyes have they,
but they see not. They have ears, but they hear
not. Noses have they, but they smell not. They have hands, but
they handle not. Feet have they, but they walk
not. Neither speak they through their throat. They that make
them are like unto them. So is everyone that trusteth
in them. He describes the true and living God by saying, but
our God is in the heavens. He hath none whatsoever he hath
pleased. A false god, like Dagon, cannot
stand in the presence of the living God. The Lord will not
share His glory with anyone. For thou shalt worship no other
god. For the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
The most glorious display of God's absolute dominion over
all powers can be seen when He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ,
into the world to redeem His elect. He who hates sin put his
own darling son to death on its account, blotting out the handwriting
of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,
and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. And having spoiled
principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing
over them in it. He has destroyed all those who
could bring harm to those whom he loved with an everlasting
love. Dagon is not just cast down, but his hands, feet, and
head are severed by the work of Jesus Christ in our behalf. Some prefer the gods of the flesh
even when they have to prop them up. It is amazing that the Philistines
tried to bolster their hopes in Dagon even when he was faced
down before the Lord. Men love religion that suits
their flesh. Men, by nature, are looking for a message that
makes them feel better and fulfills their needs and gives them something
they can be involved in. They are not interested in giving
all glory unto the Lord, but they feel that human endeavor
must play a part in their salvation. The gospel of the grace of Jesus
Christ has no appeal to anyone other than those who know themselves
to be guilty sinners deserving of destruction. Just like the
Galatians, the natural mind always gravitates to some work of the
flesh to enhance their standing before the Lord. They find it
impossible to comprehend that is all of grace. Are you so foolish,
having begun in the spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?
Dagon had as much power with his head and palms cut off as
he did when he stood tall. Twice zero is zero. The religion
of the flesh is useless to accomplish anything of lasting value, but
that does not keep men from embracing it. David said, the fool has
said in his heart, there is no God. Essentially what he is saying
is that the fool's statement is, there is no God for me, or
there is no absolute God to which I will bow. The Lord said to
the Pharisees, search the scriptures. For in them ye think ye have
eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. And ye will
not come to me that ye might have life. The Pharisees are
typical of those who will embrace religion and all of its trappings
and outward signs, but will not and cannot worship the Lord in
spirit and truth. They will join the church, tithe,
witness, pray, praise, and any other number of activities, but
their heart is far from Him. They will not and cannot relinquish
control over their own lives, for we are the circumcision which
worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have
no confidence in the flesh. Who is your God? For a free CD
containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.