The Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. – Jeremiah 10:10
Christmas celebrations are over for most of us. The carefully chosen and wrapped gifts are now known, some appreciated and some maybe not. Some might be on their way to being exchanged or refunded. The tree will be taken down soon. And you may wonder if the time and attention given to the holidays, and through all the traditions, truly honored God and celebrated Christ’s birth.
In chapter ten of Jeremiah, the prophet praised God as true, living, and everlasting, and spoke harshly about idols. He also described God’s power as an earthquake that nations cannot endure when He directs His wrath toward them. In a passage preceding today’s verse, Jeremiah warns against establishing one’s own righteousness, a form of idolatry, in ignorance of the righteousness of God (v. 3). Everything should be done for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
With Christmas behind and New Year’s resolutions and goal-setting on many minds, put away the idols, which can be anything that takes priority over the Lord in time, cost, and affection. Think about these words “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
As you think about your ambitions for 2023, ask the Lord to direct you in ways you can act on your love for Him and others. Pray for the betterment of the nation, its citizens, and those in authority. Ask God to move in hearts and minds in such a way that love for Him will increase and that He will be honored and praised in this nation every day of the year.
Today’s Verse: Jeremiah 10:10
But the Lord is the true God;
he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
