Someone or something to worship

The adulation and hysteria surrounding the [almost new] American president is beginning to wane. That is, until the recent news video from New Jersey showing school children singing praises to President Obama. From the onset of his candidacy to the inauguration, every appearance, every interview, and every public statement, had many of the masses and media alike gushing with admiration and praise!

Public appearances of the president engendered pictures of teary eyes, fainting and emotionally adoring gazes of awe formally reserved for deity, lovers and rock stars. Even the Canadians were caught up in this peculiar trend, when the president made an unscheduled visit to an Ottawa bakery, as spectators cried out in messianic tenor, “Touch me! Touch me!”

Paradoxically, time has demonstrated President Obama is still human, mistakes and all, like the rest of us. This is not a political rant against President Obama – it is merely an observation of how people place others on an exalted pedestal to discharge a misguided need to worship someone or something other than the real God. It is, sadly, a position too high to humanly maintain – and destined to fail. It is God who places men in leadership positions (Daniel 4:17). Indeed, we all should pray for the president and all of our leaders, that God would fulfill His will speedily, and allow His Work to be finished.

But, people are looking to their government and more particularly this president as the savior of the American dream, to bring the deprived and downtrodden to prosperity, and supply humanity’s every basic need and desire. Throughout human history, rejection of the real God and exaltation of mere men has been a frequent symptom of man’s nature.

Ancient Israel made a similar choice to reject God’s rule over them, when the people wanted a king like all the other nations around them. “And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7).

An article published in Associated Newspapers – Mail Online by Author Martin states: “The findings of Bruce Hood, professor of developmental psychology at Bristol University, suggest that magical and supernatural beliefs are hardwired into our brains from birth, and that religions are therefore tapping into a powerful psychological force.” He seems to be saying that people are predisposed to believe in and worship someone or something that is perceived... Click here to continue