Is God Your Genie?

Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. (Hosea 10:1)

​When I was in the Army we would say “there are no atheists in foxholes.”  That’s because when the bullets start flying and the bombs start dropping, suddenly everyone becomes religious and starts praying to someone.  It’s interesting how all of life is that way.  When things are going well, most people never think about God.  They don’t think about what God wants or what might please him.  They simply want to live for themselves.  But when life throws them a curveball, when their world seems to be crumbling down around them, suddenly they’re asking, “Where is God?”  This was the problem the nation of Israel had.  It is for this reason God condemns them in Hosea saying, “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.”  The more God blessed them, the more they seem to turn to other gods and engage in idolatry.  Sadly, God’s people haven’t changed much from the Old Testament times.  We tend to pray more and read our Bible’s more when life is hard.  But when life is good… “Let’s skip church and head to the beach!”  Too often we treat God like a genie in a lamp, calling upon him only when we need him.