lifeless idols

Last week I taught Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Toronto among the Indian people, primarily those of Sikh background. I attempted to learn as much as I could about their native religion in order to better minister to them. One learning opportunity was to visit a Sikh temple, called a Gurdwara. It was very disheartening to see.

The book - the "living, lasting Guru" that is honoured and worshipped by the Sikh believers.

The bed where the book is literally put to bed each night.

The special place of honour where the book is kept during the day and is worshipped (bowed down to).

We could not help but to think of Psalm 115, which highlights the futility of trusting in worthless gods and idols. This was even more striking when we visited the Hindu temple, which was actually filled with multiple physical idols, one for each day of the week. How incredibly sad that people actually bow down and worship these man-made idols and attempt to find comfort and peace through this.

The VBS went very well, and I'll try to share more about that this week.

3 But our God is in heaven;

He does whatever He pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of men’s hands.

5 They have mouths, but they do not speak;

Eyes they have, but they do not see;

6 They have ears, but they do not hear;

Noses they have, but they do not smell;

7 They have hands, but they do not handle;

Feet they have, but they do not walk;

Nor do they mutter through their throat.

8 Those who make them are like them;

So is everyone who trusts in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the LORD;

He is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD;

He is their help and their shield.

11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD;

He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115, NKJV