Click on the picture to return to the menu
There are an estimated three trillion trees in the world, of so many different species. Woods and forests are healthy places, because trees absorb carbon dioxide and give out our essential oxygen. I love trees, but I don't worship them. I worship and praise the One who made them all! We must always worship the Creator and not the created, for that is idolatry. We can admire God's handiwork and express it in art and literature. That is worship. Although nature does not speak in words, its "voice" is heard and seen everywhere and is available to everyone. All people have the knowledge that if there is a creation there has to be a creator. But in so many cases that has been suppressed; their hearts have been hardened and they prefer to deny God and do as they please.
In the Old Testament, the first two of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy chapter 5) warn us to worship no-one but God and not to make any images to bow down to instead. Deuteronomy chapter 4 verse 19 forbids us to worship the sun, moon and stars! We must pray to God Himself and not to these. Almighty God made EVERYTHING, at His word. (In John's Gospel, chapter 1, John is saying that Jesus, the eternal Son of God, is "the Word", because "through Him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without Him"). There are some beautiful words in the Psalms too. My favourite is Psalm 19, verses 1-4 .
It's not always items made of wood, stone or metal that people choose to worship and pray to (as if these things could "answer" them!). Very often anyone can come to idolise such things as money, power, fame and possessions. These are not bad in themselves, but only when we love them more than we love God, and so they too become idols. St.Paul has some strong words in Romans chapter 1 verses 20 and 21 ."Those people" refers to those who through their evil ways prevent the truth about God being known. God is the great Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Worship only Him.
