What Is Your Asherah Pole?

Bible Reading: Psalm 139

Special Verse:

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Exodus 20:3

When Israel entered the Promised Land, they were surrounded by nations who worshiped idols and built Asherah poles—wooden symbols of false gods and perverse worship. Over time, God’s own people copied what they saw around them. They didn’t stop talking about Yahweh, but they added other “gods” to the mix.

That grieved the heart of God.

You and I may never bow before a carved image or a literal pole. But the question still applies:

What is your Asherah pole?

Most of us would say, “I don’t worship anything but God.” But is that really true?

God doesn’t accept second place. He doesn’t share His glory, His throne, or His authority in your life. In His eyes, it’s either God alone or not God at all.

Modern Asherah Poles

An Asherah pole today can be anything that:

• You prioritize over God
  

• You treat as equal to God
  

• You trust more than God
  
  

It might be:

• Your job
  

• Your children or family
  

• Your bank account or credit card
  

• A belief system or tradition
  

• A doctor or expert whose word you treat as more final than God’s Word
  

There is nothing wrong with jobs, children, doctors, or resources. The issue is what happens in your heart.

• Do you take a job that pushes you out of God’s presence and then try to squeeze Him into the leftovers?
  

• Do you trust the doctor’s report more than God’s promises?
  

• Do you run to your credit card as your first source instead of crying out to God as your Provider?
  
  

Anything that makes you doubt God’s Word—or that you lean on instead of His Word—is functioning as an Asherah pole.

Why Some Prayers Don’t Seem to Be Answered

Sometimes we wonder, “Why am I praying and fasting, and nothing is changing?”

One hard but freeing truth is this:

Many of us want God’s help, but we won’t give Him His throne.

At the back of our minds we think:

• “If God doesn’t heal me, I’ll just depend on the doctors.”
  

• “If God doesn’t provide, I’ll just swipe my card or borrow.”
  
  

We keep a backup plan that quietly says,

“God, if You don’t come through on my schedule, I have another savior ready.”

That is exactly what an Asherah pole is.

Jacob: A Picture of Total Surrender

Jacob came to a point where he had run out of backup plans. He was about to meet Esau—the brother he had deceived—and there was no scheme left to save himself.

So he wrestled with the angel of God and said:

“I will not let You go unless You bless me.” (see Genesis 32:26)

He came to the end of himself and threw himself completely on God.
That’s the place where true transformation starts.

Until you come to that place of total surrender and holy desperation, you will only taste a small portion of what God wants to do in your life.

Ask the Holy Spirit:

• “Lord, show me my Asherah poles.”
  

• “Show me anything I trust, fear, or obey more than You.”
  

• “Show me where I’ve given people, systems, or money the place that belongs only to You.”
  
  

Then, as He reveals those things, don’t argue. Lay them down. Repent. Invite God back to His rightful place as King and final Authority in your life.

Reflection Questions

1. What do I instinctively run to first when I’m afraid, sick, or in need—God, or something else?
   

2. Whose words weigh more in my heart: God’s Word, or a person’s opinion/report?
   

3. Is there an area where I’m keeping a “backup plan” because I don’t fully trust God?
   

4. What is one specific “Asherah pole” I can surrender to God today?