A Daily Purpose Day 98

Contributing Writer: Stephanie Bright

Psalm 78 is a psalm of reflection. It puts us in a position to take time to think back on the wonders of God and all that He has done. Reflection is something that we all should do every now and then to remember God’s faithfulness. One specific verse that caught my attention in today’s reading was actually Psalm 78:58: 

For they provoked him to anger with their high places;

they moved him to jealousy with their idols.

Throughout the reading for today, we see what God did with the Israelites. We see how he pronounced judgment but also rescued them, saved them from their enemies and brought them into safety. As you read this passage, you can see so many characteristics of God, including His Sovereignty, His provision, His might, and His power. 

That would make anyone want to worship Him for all their days, right?

Verses 57 and 58 tells us otherwise. Even after all that He had done, they still rebelled against God. They still did not obey Him. They still turned their backs and God and sacrificed to false gods and worshiped idols. 

“How dare they? Didn’t they see what God had done for them?”

As easy as it is for us to judge them, we must also cast judgment on our own lives as well to see if we’re guilty of the same. How many times has God provided financially for us, yet we still chase money and make it an idol? How many times have we seen the beauty of what happens when we meet God in that quiet place, yet we still fill up our schedules with everything else and leave no time for intimacy with God?

What idols have we made in our lives? Let us not be the ones to provoke God to anger through our actions. We may not be kneeling before a golden statue, but just as easily, time, money, friends, image, and so much more can become idols in our own lives. May we always remember Exodus 20:3 and “have no other gods before [Him].”