Among all the wise ones of the nations and all their kingdoms there is none like you. – Jeremiah 10:7
From the beginning, the nation of Israel wavered between devotion to the Lord and pagan gods. The forefathers were idolaters and, while Abraham was a follower of Yahweh, some brought their gods with them. Israel’s sojourn in Egypt placed them under the influence of the Egyptian religion. The Hebrews again succumbed to idolatry by worshiping a golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32). In the promised land of Canaan, Israel was influenced to worship Baal and other deities. Jeroboam started his own brand of idolatry, making golden calves and goats (2 Chronicles 11:15).
However, the Lord said to the prophet Isaiah, “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9). Israel’s calling has always been to worship the one true God. And despite that nation’s frequent unfaithfulness, He has demonstrated His continual love for His chosen land.
While people in today’s culture do not worship golden calves, modern idolatry takes other forms, such as money, fame, pride, and status, to name a few. Anything that takes priority over your relationship with Jesus becomes an idol. Remember your commitment to Christ when you are tempted to pursue pleasure, comfort, peace, or security from an earthly source. There is not a thought in your mind or a motive in your heart that God does not know, and He loves you unconditionally. Though your emotions may waver, the Creator of the universe always desires first place in your heart. As you trust and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to reject compromise in your life, pray that America’s Christians will do the same.
Composer Felix Mendelssohn quoted the Lord’s promise in his “Elijah” aria, “If with all your heart you truly seek me, Ye shall ever surely find me, Thus saith our God.” Rejoice in His faithfulness today!
Today’s Verse: Jeremiah 10:7
7 Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations
and in all their kingdoms
there is none like you.
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: Exodus 34:8-17
8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. 9 And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
11 “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 12 Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. 13 You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
17 “You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal.“
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.
