He . . . erected altars to the Baals . . . He bowed down to all the starry hosts. (2 Chron. 33:3)
One of my students asked, “Do people still bow down to idols?” In response I told her about Seth Chan. After building a house for his bride of three months, Seth Chan did what most Cambodians do. Before moving into the house he constructed a small shelf protruding from one of the living room walls. On this shelf he placed a small statue of Buddha. Next to Buddha he placed a container where he could put burning incense.
Seth Chan told me, “This was where my wife and I were to pray to Buddha every morning. Upon waking up we were to head straight to ‘Buddha,’ light up the incense, and begin chanting prayers to him. Our parents also told us that when we had children we were to instruct them to also approach Buddha and honor him daily. If we did not do this, we were taught that bad fortune would come our way. We were told that the only way to ensure that we receive blessings is to honor and pray to Buddha. However, as Christians, we will no longer bow to a lifeless statue. We will bow down only to Christ, our living Savior and Lord.”
We once visited an “art museum” in Cambodia. Inside were idols from previous centuries, along with incense sticks for visitors to use to worship them. Unfortunately idol worship is still practiced.
Determine that you will serve only the living God!
Jim “Umf” Lo is a professor, cross-cultural leader, intercessor, and author of several books including Unholiness: Overcoming the Forces That Attack Your Soul (WPH).
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
