READING: Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 8:1-9:10
Today is another day when my heart grieves over the billions of people in the world who do not know Jesus—including many who have never even heard his name. On one hand, I think more about folks around the world these days as our church and denomination take the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. It is our burden for people to know Jesus that should compel us to give. At the same time, I grieve even more today because of what I read in today’s Old Testament reading.
The comparison of the true God with the idols of Babylon in Jeremiah 51 is quite clear. God “made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses” (Jer 51:15-16). This God speaks, and creation responds. Nature moves at His command.
On the other hand, the powerlessness of the idols is equally apparent (and dramatically described): they are “a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish” (Jer 51:17-18). Phrase after phrase, image after image, description after description about the idols show us just how foolish it is to follow them—and yet people all around the world still do. They follow gods who will perish—a description that itself shows these idols are not God.
So, today, I pray even more for the world’s non-believers, for missionaries serving among them, and for my wife and me as we ask how we can best help spread the gospel among the nations.
PRAYER: “God, show us what we must do to free idolaters around the world.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Ask your pastor what your church is doing to help reach the nations. If you’re not already doing it, make a commitment to play a role in that task.
TOMORROW’S READING: Lamentations 1-2, Hebrews 9:11-10:18
