Designer Idols – Day 8

Ishtar (Ashtoreth)

“No wonder I am so angry! Watch how the children gather wood and the fathers build sacrificial fires. See how the women knead dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. And they pour out liquid offerings to their idol gods! Am I the one they are hurting” asks the Lord. “Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame.” Jeremiah 7:18-19 NLT

Biblically, Ishtar is known as the “Queen of Heaven”. She was one of the original female deities of the Mesopotamian pantheon. The goddess of sex, power, politics, and war. The latter became a primary function of her after the rise of the Akkadian empire, who made war a yearly job and pastime. War demonstrated power. In the time of Jeremiah, the Neo-Babylonian empire was on the rise and worshiped the queen of heaven through their ruthless warfare.

Power. The rise and fall of many empires in history. It did not die out with the battle axes and bloodlust. Its tactics changed to wealth, success, and fame in many different sectors of our modern world. People will do anything to reach a point where they feel powerful – causing their hearts to yearn for power rather than God.

“Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God” Matthew 22:29 NLT

We do not know the power of God! God is all-powerful. With Him, all things are possible. He is abundant in power. His understanding beyond measure. He does not faint, grows tired, or sleep. The psalmist says: “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11 ESV). I do not need power. My God has all the power I would ever need.  Therefore I will worship Him for His mighty power.

Prayer: Father, You are most powerful and I praise and worship You alone. I can do all things through Jesus strengthening me with Your power. Help me to circumcise my heart from everything that might lead to a longing for power other than from You. Amen.