#15 “Finding A Common Thread”

“I said, “God, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful

to those who love him and obey his commands: Look at me, listen to me.

Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession

for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel.

And I’m including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you.”

Nehemiah 1:6

The Message (MSG)

Consider the simple prayer below. Would you be surprised to know that this is a Hindu prayer? What an eye opener this short prayer was for me... that some religion besides mine could recognizes how infinite God is and how frail are our efforts to express our worship to Him.

“O Lord, forgive three sins that are due to my human limitations:

Thou art everywhere, but I worship you here;

Thou art without form, but I worship you in these forms, made by human hands;

Thou needest no praise, yet I offer you these prayers and salutations.

Lord, forgive three sins that are due to my human limitations“

As I read this prayer I am reminded of this photo I took while on a mission’s trip to India in 2006. This picture made me even more aware of man's need and desire to define who God is. Are they so much different from us; when there is a church on nearly every corner of our neighborhoods? King Solomon said, “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You; How much less this temple which I have built!”

Are we so different from other religions of the world? When we still look for new idols to worship by magnifying the gifts, which God the creator has bestowed upon His creation. It's not surprising in light of the fact, men are intrinsically religious beings and have a innermost need to worship… something, whether in heaven or on earth. Therefore in the absence of true worship to the Creator, they will inevitably worship the creation, be it celestial, animal, vegetable or even human. God has placed within every man the knowledge of who He is; however Romans 1:12 tells us, “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God”

Every since the fall of mankind, man has been searching for God their creator; whether, they realize it or not. They try to find him in wild living, multipule sexual partnersor other means; realizing no late it’s not what they're looking for. Drugs, alcohol and pornography, you name it they'er all attempts to find inner pace, which can only truly be found in God. I was amazed to learn that India has 330 Million Faces of God or deities which they worship. They are truly in search of God, but still have not come to know who He really is. Paul said this in Acts 17:23- "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Would that they knew that there is only one True and Living God, the Creator of heaven and earth Himself. Then they would worship Him alone.

Even here in America there are many idol gods being worshiped; however, we wouldn’t dear say that they are gods. We have gone from worshiping the creator to worshiping the creation it’s self. There are men who boast that they are god; because, they provide food, shelter and clothing for their children. They boast without realizing they could do nothing, if Almighty God did not give them the ability to do so. Can man heal his own body? Protect his mind or eyes form fading in his old age? Can he raise the dead? Or calm a raging sea?

Is there a common thread in our pursuit to connect to and worship something or someone? I venture to say, “yes”, each of us have a need to worship, here’s what Ecclesiastes 3:11— He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy],” All of mankind has a driving desire to worship God, but let us make sure that we are not robbing the Creator or the glory due Him, by worshiping that which He Himself has created.

Blessings, go with God’s Peace!

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