March 17 - Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Good morning everyone,

We begin reading this morning with Moses instructing the people to appoint fair and impartial  judges and officials for themselves. Knowing there would be situations that would require mediation. Then it went on to say, which I found super interesting, in 17:21 from my NIV “Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the Lord your God” but in the KJV that I study out of that same verse reads,  “Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.”, it got me to wondering, what are they talking about? Well, an Asherah pole was a sacred tree or pole that stood near Canaanite religious locations to honor the pagan goddess Asherah, also known as Astarte the goddess of motherhood and fertility. While it is not real clear exactly what the carving on an Asherah pole looked like, it is clear that the ancient Israelites, after entering the land of Canaan, could be easily influenced by the pagan religion it represented. I think we will all agree that Asherah was a false God, right? It would also be safe to agree that a “grove” of asherah trees could look like a forest, right? Having said that, it’s not stretching the imagination too far to see that the forest is a mostly shaded area; oh there will be rays of sunlight breaking through the trees but by and large it is pretty shady in the forest. 

That got me to thinking, what forest of false gods do we saunter through every single day of our lives? What do we do first thing in the morning? Turn on the radio or the television where we are influenced by the “world’s” opinion? Maybe we have an exercise regime, laundry to throw into the washer then off to work we go, on with our day, clearly not idols in and of themselves, but certainly in the shade. Many head off to their jobs: ahhh, the work force which is a constant input of information and decision making, people rushing here and there, how hectic and busy it can be makes my head spin. For others it could be running after kiddos all day, or volunteering at a school, or nursing homes, there’s endless errands and chores. Some are students, with unending stacks of reading and homework; only to come home to making meals and cleaning up after all that is left in the wake of activity? By the time evening rolls around we are ready to bury ourselves in the television or a book or just veg on the internet and while all of this may not seem like a false god, they are all distractions that keep us from being with God. Make sense? The “forest” of false gods in an average day for anyone can be very shaded with little light coming in where the enemy, who is a very clever guy, is hiding everywhere in those shadows of false gods. It can cause our character and our actions to be contrary to what we say and believe if we let it. 1Peter 5:8 reminds us “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Proverbs 1:32 says For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.”

I would encourage you to always be alert, to purpose to find the light shining in the forest of your life. Don’t let the doldrums in the forest of everyday living block out the brilliance of the Son that we so desperately need to keep us walking down the right path. Jesus said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Friends, stay in the light, and keep your eyes on the prize.

I pray you have a surer great day, to God be the glory.

God bless you all …