In God We Trust?

Reading: Jeremiah 40-44

“For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster.” (Jeremiah 44:16)

It is a little ironic that “In God We Trust” is written on our national currency. It is a great profession of faith, but many instead bow down at the altar of wealth.

Jeremiah warned the people not to serve any idol and again incur the God’s jealous wrath. He implored them to put their trust in God.

But the people poured out drink offerings and worshipped the pagan deity known as the queen of heaven (see Jeremiah 7:18). They were motivated to rebel against God, believing it would result in having more money, more food, and more security.They chased wealth into idolatry.

Look at your money and ask: where do you put your trust?

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 45-49

There is No God but Jehovah

Today’s reading is Isaiah 41-45.

“Assemble yourselves and come;
draw near together,
you survivors of the nations!
They have no knowledge
who carry about their wooden idols,
and keep on praying to a god
that cannot save.
Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the LORD?
And there is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.”
–Isaiah 45:20-21 (ESV)

Vishnu is no god. Allah is no god. Krishna is no god. Ishtar is no god. Molech is no god. Mammon is no god. Zeus is no god. I am no god. You are no god. Jehovah is God. What more needs to be said?

Tomorrow’s reading is Isaiah 46-50.

Two Times to Give Up Idols

 

Today’s reading is Isaiah 1-5.

There are two times we can give up our idols. When we decide to or when God decides to make us. I can tell you which one will be better for all involved. Isaiah 2:6-22 makes it clear. As God dealt with Israel, He will deal with us. He is patient, prompting us to abandon that which is not god in order to follow Him with our whole heart. But a day is coming when our idols will be stripped from us no matter how hard we grasp them. Why not beat God to it, burn your idols, let God cleanse your heart now, and in that day you won’t have to flee to the caves and clefts, but rather will be able to experience the joy of the Lord.

Tomorrow’s reading is Isaiah 6-10

 

 

Remove the High Places

Today’s reading is 2 Kings 12-15.

“And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places” (2 Kings 15:34-35, ESV). Being God Filled is a growth process. That is how an oversight can be made in spiritual matters and yet the overall description can be claimed that Jotham did right. However, make no mistake, God is not saying it was okay to still have high places. High places mattered because they left a foothold of idolatrous rebellion in the hearts of the people which ultimately led to their destruction. While reforms were made, idolatry was not stamped out. In like manner, God’s grace bears with us as we grow, but let us never thing God’s grace is permission to maintain our high places. Rather, it is the strength to keep growing as we learn to stamp out the high places. Keep your eyes open for your own high places and stamp them out.

Tomorrow’s reading is 2 Kings 16-20.

Don’t Be a Derision to Your Enemies

 

Today’s reading is Exodus 29-33.

“And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies)…” (Exodus 32:25, ESV). How many enemies deride, laugh, mock Christians for pursuing other idols? How many times have we heard those in the world say, “Why should I follow your God, I’m as good as you are?” When idols distract us, we tell the world it doesn’t matter who your god is. We not only become a derision, we make God a derision. Today, let’s live in such a way that those around us will know it really does matter who your god is. Half measures avail nothing. Let’s pursue God with wild and reckless abandon. Then if our enemies deride us, at least’s its for a good reason.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading. Let us know by leaving a comment.

Tomorrow’s reading is Exodus 34-38.

No Other Gods

 

Today’s reading is Exodus 19-23.

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” That seems reasonable. Baal didn’t deliver Israel. Ashtoreth didn’t deliver Israel. Molech didn’t deliver Israel. Why, O why would they ever even want to follow some other god? And yet, money didn’t die for my sins. Sex didn’t die for my sins. Food didn’t die for my sins. Fame, power, fortune, and influence didn’t die for my sins. Why, O why would I ever even want to follow some other god? Today…no idols.

We’d love to hear what you got out of today’s reading. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is Exodus 24-28.

Half Measures Avail Nothing

 

Today’s reading is from Genesis 33-36.

Jacob not only got rid of the household idols, he got rid of their ear rings (Genesis 35:4). He not only got rid of the idols, he got rid of the idol ingredients (see Exodus 32:2). If I want to be God Filled, I have to get rid of my idols. If I want to get rid of my idols, I have to get rid of the stuff that makes the idols. If I get rid of my idols, but keep my ear rings, when the going gets tough, I’ll just recast my idols. Half measures avail nothing. Today, I have to ask what idols I’m still halfway holding on to and completely cut the tie. How about you?