Scripture
So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring upon his people.

Observation
While Moses is on the mountain receiving the Law, the people turn to idolatry. They call on Aaron to make them an idol to worship.

So Aaron takes the gold earrings from the people and uses them to make a golden calf. The people worship it as their god. They then engage in pagan practices and revelry.

The Lord is outraged and threatens to destroy the people. Moses intercedes for them and asks God to change His mind He points out that the it would not look good to the Egyptians if God rescued His people from slavery only to destroy them in the mountains.

Moses reminds the Lord of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So the Lord relents and backs away from His threat to destroy the Israelites.

Application
We are prone to idolatry so easily. In the case of the Israelites, Moses their leader had disappeared so they probably felt as if God had deserted them.

My faith in God can just as easily waver and when He seems distant I can look to other things to be my security- money, talent, the praise of other people.

The Lord is the only one whom we should invest our trust in. He can be relied on to carry us through every storm if only we look to Him.

Prayer
Father show me the idols in my heart. Give me the grace to turn away from them and trust in you alone. Amen.