READING:
One-year plan: Esther 5-10, Acts 16:35-17:21
Two-year plan: Joshua 20:1-21:33, Luke 9:28-43
——–
I doubt most believers—beginning with me—get stressed at the reality of idolatry all around us. We can look around and see people living for some “god” other than the true God, and we know that’s foolish. We might even name this rebellion “idolatry” when we speak of it—but I still don’t think we bear a deep burden for idolaters around us.
Things were different for Paul when he went to Athens in Acts 17. In that city Paul found idolatry—so much of it that he was “deeply distressed” over it. Indeed, the sense of “deeply distressed” might also be better understood as “became infuriated,” “became agitated,” or “deeply troubled.” Whatever words we use to describe the city, they reflect a great deal of emotion that characterized Paul. He could not walk past idols without his heart breaking.
I will say it again: I doubt most believers grieve in the same way when we see idolatry around us. May God break our hearts over this issue as we seek to reach our neighbors and the nations!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How distressed do you become when you see people following false gods?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, give me the heart You gave to Paul.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Job 1-5, Acts 17:22-18:17
Two-year plan: Joshua 21:34-22:34, Luke 9:44-56