Be still: Lord, I thank you that there is new mercy for me each day. I receive your love afresh as I sit with you now. Amen
Read: Revelation 9:13-21
The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze and stone and wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk. (v20)
Encounter: Wow, even after everything these people have experienced, they still refuse to turn away from and stop worshipping demons and idols.
However, I wonder if, underneath it all, there’s something we can recognise in ourselves. We often turn to ‘idols’ when we feel God’s plan can’t be trusted; we take the reins and try to tend to the areas in our life where we think there’s a lack – grabbing at whatever feels easiest to control or self-medicate with.
It’s easy to make an idol of something. In the Bible, idols are usually depicted as sculptures or statues but in 2026 I think they are pretty well disguised in plain sight. Maybe we make an idol out of a relationship because we don’t trust that God will meet our need for love. We make an idol out of money because we don’t trust him to provide. We make an idol out of work or achievement because we feel as though our life lacks purpose or that we need to earn our place.
But CS Lewis puts it plainly:
'Idols always break the hearts of their worshippers because finite things cannot bear the ultimate weight of human hope and meaning.' *
The things themselves aren’t bad. Money can provide. Relationships can bring joy. Work can give purpose and routine. But they were never designed to carry the weight of the human heart's need for God.
They are merely reflections. Glimpses of his goodness towards us.
To worship the thing is to miss the point. We need to be people who look to and put our hope in the One who is the Creator, not his creation.
Apply: Being honest with yourself, what good thing have you started asking to give you what only God can provide?
Devote: God, help me to recognise the things I’ve placed too much hope in and return them to you. Teach me to enjoy your gifts without making them my god.
*CS Lewis: The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses