Daily Reading
Daily Thought
God is God. That seems obvious, yet humankind continually acts as if it has a say in the matter. Edom believed her wisdom sufficient, Damascus its fame, and the possessions of Keder and Hazor gave them a false security. These nations built idols reflecting their passions and desires, trusting in things they hold rather than the One who holds them, rejecting the God who can and will determine their future. Each stood against God and, like Ammon, “trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’” (Jeremiah 49:4). God will answer. Nation upon nation swaggered against the might of God and met his sword. At the end, even great Babylon fell, “for it is a land of images, and they are mad over idols” (Jeremiah 50:38).
God’s prophets tell of his judgment against the nations, “‘For I have sworn by myself,’ declares the Lord, ‘that Bozrah shall become a horror, a taunt, a waste, and a curse, and all her cities shall be perpetual wastes’” (Jeremiah 49:13). If we cringe at its fierceness, it has done its job. It is not God’s duty to accommodate our sensitivities, as if God should “play nice.” God’s justice reflects the truth of “in the beginning, God created” (Genesis 1:1) and “behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). We have made it bad, then wonder at God when he picks up his sword. He is making it good again.
Daily Prayer
My heavenly Father, You deal with nations that, I admit, act the way I act. When things go well, I neglect You; when poorly, I complain. Sometimes, God, I am tempted to trust in things I can hold. I should rather trust in the One who holds me. Too often, You are the last to whom I turn. If You had not made Yourself known to me, I would have ignored You. Thank You for Your love and grace, which compels. me to Your holiness, the more because I do not deserve it.
You are God, that is the most wise thing I can say. Everything else comes after that. May my devotion reflect that truth and be displayed in everything I do.
Amen