Worthless

“But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame.” Isaiah 42:17, NIV.

A believer told me this story about a man he knew. He thought I’d be pleased. Instead, what I learned was the sad fact that many in Thailand (and indeed, in most Buddhist cultures) who say they are accepting Christ, are really only attempting to “trade up” to a better source of blessing, protection and luck. The story was of a poor Thai man and his idols.

He was a mechanic, and barely had enough money to provide food for his family. Still he spent most of his money collecting idols that were supposed to protect his family and bring him good fortune. His main room was filled with these statues, and he had to give the best of his food to the idols as offerings.

One day while the mechanic was at work, somebody broke into his house and took all his possessions. When he came home and saw his empty house something inside him snapped. He yelled at the idols, “You are worthless! I sacrificed to buy you and make offerings to you so you will protect me, and you can’t even keep my things from being stolen!”

That very day he threw his idols away, and went to the Catholic church in town and announced that he wanted to become a Christian. He put a picture of Jesus in a prominent place in his home hoping that Jesus would protect him, his family and his belongings where his expensive idols had failed.

As my friend finished telling his story I thought how true it is that Thai people will do whatever they think will give them power, protection and blessings. Thai people need to know God, and serve Him because He is worthy. I wondered what would happen to this Thai man when something else bad happened to him. Would he yell at God and return to his idols?

My friend and I got to talk some about why we serve God. We are seeking the One who gives blessings – we even seek Him without the blessings because of who He is.

Pray that:

Northern Thai people will see that idols are powerless and worthless and will seek the one true God.

The faith of Northern Thai people will rest on Christ alone, and not on His blessings or protection.

The six million Northern Thai will get to hear the Gospel at least once before they die.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.