Beware of Idolatry ~ Flee to Christ JESUS Alone

"Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen: let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation." -Judges 10:14 [KJV]

A severe sarcasm from the Lord to apostate sinners! It causes a hell upon earth to a renewed soul, to hear and feel just upbraidings from the Lord of heaven: this is one of His severest chastizings to His children. Here is an awful charge, and a severe reproof: the Lord keeps us clear of the one, that we fall not under the other. 

Consider, (1st.) the charge: it is idolatry. They had gods of their own choosing. For the Lord’s sake, and for our soul’s sake, let us not think, we are in no danger of falling into this sin! It is committed by professors every day. Aged Paul wept over such. Though they professed Christ, yet they were enemies to His cross: their belly was their god: “Their hearts were set upon earthly things” (Philippians 3:19.) Such are not content with Christ as their own; to live in fellowship with Him: to walk in self-denied love and obedience before Him; and to derive all their comfort and happiness from Him. The lusts of the flesh they gratify. Earthly things have their hearts. Thus they give up the Lord, and give in to idolatry against him. O! what a most heinous crime is this! how much practised! how little thought of, deplored, and deprecated! Christians, where are your hearts? Who has your affections—God, the flesh, or the world? If not God, depend on it you will soon, very soon hear from him, in such a way as will be awfully distressing. 

Consider, (2d.) the reproof. A day of tribulation will come. When sorrow and distress seize on your minds, then God is a blessed refuge. But O! then, to think, ‘Alas! I have forsaken the Lord—have preferred other lovers to Him—chosen other gods besides Him: the world has had my heart and my hope: I have lived to the flesh: I have minded earthly things, and indulged covetous desires.’ Well, but I read, not withstanding all this, “The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have forsaken our God, and served idols” (vs. 10.) 

Ah! but mind the Lord’s cutting answer: “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you.” A more severe reproof is scarcely to be found in the Bible. O! lay it to heart. Deeply consider its import. Do not, I pray you, cast away this with contempt, as very legal. For, consider, the Lord, though He, as your Father, may everlastingly love your persons in Christ; yet He hates your conduct, and will make you smart for it in your conscience. True, it is said, “The Lord’s soul was grieved for the misery of His children” (vs. 16.) But, O consider, the great misery they must feel to grieve the soul of the Lord! What a compassionate Saviour is our Christ! In all our afflictions, He is afflicted (see Isaiah 63:9.)

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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