READING: Jeremiah 10-13
Today I will gather with the members of the church I attend, and we will worship the one and only true God. We will see Him by faith, trusting that He is present with us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. We will sing His praises, looking forward to the day when we will gather around His throne and sing to the Lamb who was crucified for us.
And, at least for a few minutes, I will likely weep as I think about others around the world.
Jeremiah wrote about people in his day not unlike those I will weep over today. You see, even today there are people who shape idols with their chisel — idols that cannot speak and that “must be carried because they cannot walk” (Jer 10:5). The craftsmen may be skilled workers, but Jeremiah’s words pound at their foolishness: “every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them” (Jer 10:14). These idol makers around the world are creating images and forms that will perish when the true God who made the heavens and the earth reigns.
I have seen them, actually. Perhaps you have, too, when you’ve traveled. They sit at their table, crafting false gods that have no power, that take shape only because of the talent of their human creator. They then sell the idols whose darkness blinds them to the silliness of following gods they can hold in their hands and place on their shelves. Tragically, the peoples of the world cry out to gods who cannot hear them — and who could NEVER have heard them.
Who, then, will tell the peoples about the true God who “made the earth by his power”? (Jer 10:12) Who will tell them about the God who was never made, who will always be, and who hears their prayers?
Who will weep with me over the idol makers today?
ACTION STEPS:
- Pray for the idol makers around the world. You may not know their name, but God does.
- Ask today if your church is planning any mission trips within the next year. If so, prayerfully consider going to tell others about the only true God.
PRAYER: “Lord, You hear me. That’s wonderful and amazing. I pray now for all the people around the world who are creating ‘gods’ that cannot hear. Help me to praise You loudly today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 14-17
