I've heard of some large numbers before, but when I read this one, I had to do a double take. 200 million. No, I'm not talking about the number of times I've heard people say they can't wait for interest rates to go down or the number of excuses I've heard people give for not exercising. I'm talking about the size of the army unleashed by God to teach the world a lesson. The Bible says 200 million mounted troops. And they meant business!
The book of Revelation tells of this army going around the world, taking out a third of the people on earth. He wanted people's attention, and he wanted it badly. Yet, in our stubbornness, we still did not wise up.
"But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood- idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!" (Revelation 9:20)
As I read that, I thought, dang, how can they be so dumb?!?!? An army of 200 million mounted horses with heads of fire-breathing lions and tails of venomous snakes certainly would have caught my attention. Then, I thought...wait a minute...that's me. Gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood? He’s not talking about expensive figurines, but bank accounts, jobs, physical appearance, clothes, houses, cars, etc. Shiny things cannot love us back. These are not bad things to pursue, they are actually good and valuable things to work towards. But when that is your priority over a relationship with the one who gave you life and ability, over love itself...well, they become destructive demons.
It's all about priority.
When you get up every morning, do you prioritize your relationship with God, your spouse, and your family, or do you rush out the door chasing idols only to fit what's most important in when you have a little extra time? We've all seen the 200 million mounted troops take people out for this very thing, and yet, too often, we choose not to learn and turn our attention to the right priorities.
Work is good and necessary, and the return on that investment should provide for an abundant life. But make sure what you seek first is relationships. A relationship with God and others who can see, hear, and walk. Love things that can love you back.