Praise the Lord for another beautiful day and another chance to experience His grace and mercy.
Today’s Prayer
Father, if we don’t expect much of those who are in leadership positions, then probably that person doesn’t demand much of himself / herself! It’s true that we are to encourage others — family members, fellow workers, friends, teachers, ministers, and government leaders; however, it is questionable whether anyone should depend on such encouragement for one’s sole motivation. If we find ourselves saying, “Lord, I feel so unworthy,” we are apt to hear You say, “For heaven’s sake, and yours, get worthy!” Remind us that You are ready to be our helper, our joy-giver, and the supplier of all our needs! You want us to learn to depend on You, and not others, for our sense of self worth and well being. Help us to resolve to spend quality time with You each day in prayer and meditation, so that in our times of trouble we will not be strangers to each other! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Idolatry Brings Destruction
Jeremiah 10:1-16
1 Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O Israel!
2 This is what the Lord says:
“Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.
3 Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.
4 They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over.
5 Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
6 Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.
7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you.
8 People who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!
9 They bring beaten sheets of silver from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, and they give these materials to skillful craftsmen who make their idols. Then they dress these gods in royal blue and purple robes made by expert tailors.
10 But the Lord is the only true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King! The whole earth trembles at his anger. The nations cannot stand up to his wrath.
11 Say this to those who worship other gods: “Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
12 But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.
13 When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.
14 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power.
15 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.
16 But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
Quote of the Day
Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundations. ~Augustine~