For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. – Psalm 96:5

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 21, 2019): Psalm 95 & 96

I remember a Presidential Campaign that took place some years ago, that advocated for “No One for President.” According to the tongue-in-cheek campaign, “No One” keeps their promises, “No One” tells the truth, and “No One” knows how to solve societal ills. Therefore, “No One” deserves to be elected to the office of the President, or any other position of political leadership. The campaign still rings true.  Amidst the partisan arguments, often yelled past us by our current set of politicians, it might be preferable that “No One” deserves the opportunity to lead us.

David makes this argument in defense of God. Israel had a habit of running away from the God of Israel to other gods, worshipped by the other nations with whom Israel was in contact. It was an act that seems to have mystified David. He argues that it was the God of Israel who created the heavens, meaning that God was the creator of everything. But the gods of these other nations were just idols, and the word that is used here is 'eliyl, and it means literally “nothings.” These gods were inconsequential and had no substance. They were empty. They meant nothing and were, essentially, “nothings.” Why would anyone trade a God of substance who created everything to worship “nothings.”

Culturally, we are doing the same thing. Sometimes it is the other gods of different societies, carved or created images meant to reflect the spiritual world, that draws our worship. But more often we worship “nothing.” There is an empty space that we fill with our favorite actors or sports teams; inferior entities that do not deserve our attention or worship.

And maybe we need to re-evaluate the way that we use the word idol. Could you imagine rebranding “American Idol” as “American Nothings.” But “nothings” might be more accurate. It does not diminish the talent of the people who compete but, in the end, the truth is that we are all nothings. We find our worth in the God who creates us, and everything else is nothing.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 105