The Idol

A Meditation on Isaiah 21:9

“Babylon has fallen...All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!”

That most precious thing,

Tenderly cradled,

Fiercely protected,

Held to my heart,

Does not fall until I do.

The image of a god,

Cherished possession,

Object of affection,

Captivator of my mind,

Falls only as I myself die.

I can choose to cling,

Through the seasons of life,

Ignoring better judgment,

Against divine wisdom,

Until death opens my hand.

Or I can choose to let go,

Cast down the image,

Yield to undeniable truth,

Let the god crash to the ground,

As I fall to my knees...

And cry, “Holy, Lord God Almighty!”

Who has asked this of you?

“The multitude of your sacrifices---what are they to me?....who asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?”  Isaiah 1:11-12

                                    I rushed into His presence,

                                    To say a prayer or two,

                                    I heard a voice whisper,

                                    “Who has asked this of you?”

                                    A check dropped in the offering,

                                    The pride was wrong, I knew.

                                    I heard a voice behind me,

                                    “Who has asked this of you?”

                                    I lit incense and candles,

                                    As the flame and perfume grew,

                                    A haunting voice questioned,

                                    “Who has asked this of you?”

                                    I sang a worship chorus,

                                    The words I mouthed weren’t true,

                                    I heard a voice like thunder,

                                    “Who has asked this of you?”

                                    “This trampling of my courts,

                                    This hasty running through,

                                    This thoughtless careless worship,

                                    Who has asked this of you?”