Verse of the Week: “Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish. Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob.” (Jeremiah 51:17-18)
Truth of the Week: helpless…powerless…worthless…breathless…useless…lifeless…
These are words that describe the idols in our lives. They always fail to keep the promises they make. In the day of trouble (and we can be assured that God, in His grace, will bring a day of trouble) they will show their true colors and will be exposed as being empty and insufficient. Whatever our idol of choice - whether it be prosperity, pleasure, or the praise of man, money, ministry, or material gain – all will disappoint us if we are hoping to find in them or receive from them what can only be found in God.
“But not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob.” What wonderful words to contemplate. Our God is never helpless, powerless, worthless, breathless, useless or lifeless. He is the infinite opposite of all these things. The one true God is so superior to the idols in our lives that they shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence! In the day of trouble we are sure to find that God is all-sufficient, never failing, and always worthy of our complete confidence. To be sure, He is not a genie in a bottle or a puppet on a string – He is the Almighty God who always does as He pleases and who always does what is right.
Quote of the Week: “The deepest issues of the human struggle are not issues of pain and suffering, but the issue of worship, because what rules our hearts will control the way we respond to both suffering and blessing.” (Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands)
