“Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows” (Psalm 16:4)
Who chooses other gods? Why would anyone do such a thing if it leads to multiplied sorrows?
Yet people do this all the time.
Any time anything or anyone other than God becomes our ultimate concern, ultimate passion, and ultimate interest, they are our gods. This can take the form of our careers, family, children, lovers, etc. Anything that becomes our primary concern functions as our gods.
The Bible has a name for this: idolatry.
Should anyone ever pursue idolatry, only multiplied sorrows is the result. If multiplied sorrows is the result of idolatry why would anyone go down such a path?
Aha! That’s just the thing. This is all about deception. This deception is of the devil. Idols do provide immediate gratification, satisfaction, and pleasure. But it is always fleeting and momentary. It is never permanent. It will always lead to starvation and dissatisfaction. Eventually, the pursuit of such idols leave us empty and broken. But that’s not even the worst part. The pursuit of idols destroys not only the idolator, but everyone the idolator holds dear.
This is the multiplication of sorrows.
So, what is the antidote to idolatry? The psalmist tells us: “You are my Lord: I have no good apart from you” (Psalm 16:2).
Turn to God. Be devoted to God. Submit to God. Surrender to God. Rest in God. Delight yourself in God. The way we do that is to subject all other things under our devotion to God.
Praxis: Faith in Action 