Who We Worship

Celebrating the 300^th anniversary of Russia’s Romanov dynasty, Tsar Nicholas II made several appearances among his people throughout 1913. Wherever he went, he and his family received almost unimaginable adulation.

In Kostroma (about 200 miles northeast of Moscow), many people who gathered to see Nicholas and his family actually fell down to kiss his shadow.

On Easter Sunday, a crowd of more than 4,000 packed the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, having gathered from throughout the empire. When they entered, his family was greeted with enthusiastic shouts of “Hoorah!”

One eyewitness described how the crowds thought about Nicholas himself: “He, who was wanted by all, awaited by all, adored by all…Him, whom you are to respect with all your soul as the chosen one and the anointed one of God.”

Throughout time, many people have received this kind of misplaced adulation. But the Bible warns against giving this kind of praise to any person other than the Lord. Such reverence is not only unhealthy, but dangerous. God is jealous and declares, “I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 42:8).

The world today is filled with people who receive undue praise. Just consider the god-like worship received by champion athletes. Or the adulation given to movie stars and popular entertainers. Or the honors that faithful followers heep on politicians and military heroes.

Believers are cautioned to remember that only God is to be worshipped, for every person is flawed and makes mistakes. God alone is perfect.

Today, make sure that you worship God and God alone.