Elmhurst CRC

Sunday's Comin' #156 - Jeremiah 10:11-16

July 04, 2022 Elmhurst CRC Season 1 Episode 156
Elmhurst CRC
Sunday's Comin' #156 - Jeremiah 10:11-16
Show Notes Transcript

Rebekah Wilson, Discipleship Coordinator

Rebekah Wilson:  0:09 

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the word of God. Today's Monday July 4 - Happy Independence Day. This is Rebekah Wilson and I serve as Discipleship Coordinator. Today I'll be reading Jeremiah chapter 10, verses 11 through 16, from the New Living translation.

Rebekah Wilson:  0:27 

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.” But the LORD made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. 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. 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. Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed. 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!

Rebekah Wilson: 1:26 

Why do you think Jeremiah speaks about idolatry by highlighting God as creator? Let's first define what an idol is. One definition of an idol is any object or idea that you hold higher than God, or something that is more important to you than God. Now, these objects or ideas aren't necessarily bad in themselves -- unless you worship the bears. Sorry, did I tell you I'm from Wisconsin?  -- but idols are limited. They are creations and not the creator. Even worshipping other humans made in the image of God is idolatry. Idols may promise much, but they're limited in what they can deliver. God and God alone made the earth and all the good things in it. He's full of wisdom and understanding. In contrast, our passage today says that idols are frauds. A time is coming, thatthey will all be destroyed. In our world of rapidly changing culture, politics, security, comfort -- let us cling to something that is unmoving, to someone who is unchanging. The Bible points us to Jesus. We are instructed to fix our eyes on him, and when we do that, I think all the other aspects of life can fall into place. When our creator God is the center of our heart and soul, we can look at the other things that fill our lives with an internal perspective.

Rebekah Wilson:  2:55 

What are you clinging to today? For your comfort or security? What area of your life are you making sacrifices that is pulling you away from your devotion to the Lord?

Rebekah Wilson:  3:07  

Will you pray with me? Father in heaven, we praise you for being our creator and maker of all. King of the universe, we confess that on Earth, it's easy to lose track of the creator from the creations. Open our eyes to the idols we are sacrificing to, or unwillingly, worshipping above you. Reveal where our hearts devotions are and help us to take steps today to allow you to work in our lives. Thank you that you never give up on us when we turn back to you. We praise you for being a compassionate God who hears our cries and listens to our prayers. We pray this all in the name of Jesus. Amen.