DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

 

They Didn't Listen

Time and time again, prophets

were sent to the leaders of Israel

trying to bring them back to God,

away from their idols, but they

didn't listen. The time described

above is not different and the

result is not different. The leaders

wanted the king to rule in their

favor, they wanted power, and

whatever else they could get. What

they got, however, was the Syrian

army that came to Judah and

Jerusalem and destroyed all the

princes of the people that had

gone against God and sent the

spoils to Damascus. What did they

gain by worshiping idols? What do

we gain by ignoring the teachings

of Jesus and making idols of

money, power, fame, and even

ourselves? People with too much

money often live in fear that

Someone will come and steal it.

Notice that the fences and walls of

the rich are usually higher than

those of the poor. Fame is fleeting

and those who have it spend a lot

of time worrying about their

safety. Power? There's always 

Someone who wants to take their

place and are willing to do almost

anything to get it. There's no point

in talking about those who put

themselves up as some kind of god

as they may achieve all of the

above - fame, power, and mnoney -

but their lifestyles usually are

missing something very important,

happiness. The people of Judah

didn't find happiness by ignoring

God, and neither will we.

Prayer

Gracious God, may we have ears

open to hear your message of love

and your rules for achieving true

happiness and the will to follow

you. Amen.