There shall be no foreign god among you; nor shall you worship any foreign god. Psalm 81:9

In some countries the people will actually believe in and serve many different types of gods with the purpose of calling them gods. The number of gods in some places numbers into the thousands. In other nations, the people don’t really serve physically false gods as gods, but they do worship things and people as though they were gods of some type. Very few places in the world hold that there is only one god and no others at all.

Asaph reminds the people of their history with God and that they were to not have any foreign gods among them, nor worship any foreign god.

Although many people do not necessarily believe in many gods, most people worship things as gods and also believe that there are many ways to heaven. People are quick to put things before God.

The most common thing put before God, is self. Worship of self is promoted everywhere, that self comes first above all others and other things. Self pleasure often takes priority over anything God desires.

Believers know that they are not to worship foreign gods, but many believers often turn to a foreign god. As a believer, one is now a member of God’s family and kingdom. The believer is no longer a member of this world, though still in this world. At the moment the believer puts anything before God, that believer is worshipping a foreign god.

God needs to be at the center of everything the believer thinks, says and does. All of one’s service and worship belong to God and God alone. There should not even be a small hint of a foreign god in the life of a believer.

As a believer, you are now a part of God’s kingdom. The gods and things of this world are now foreign to you. The things of this world are to be used for God’s purpose, not to be worshipped and never to replace God in your life.

Ask yourself if there is anything that you put before God, anything that would cause you to turn away from God’s purpose for your life. That thing is a foreign god to you and does not belong. Cast out the foreign gods and worship and serve God alone. Don’t allow any foreign gods in your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will reveal any foreign gods in your life; that God will give you strength to cast out those foreign gods; and that you will worship God alone.

Picture by Lenstravelier on Unsplash