August 16, 2011 (2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18 )
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “People from many nations will pass by the ruins of this city and say to one another, ‘why did the Lord destroy such a great city?’ And the answer will be, ‘because they violated their covenant with the Lord their God by worshipping others gods.'” Jeremiah 22:8-9 NLT
Observation: God has one great commandment that can never be broken. He is the only God that His people shall worship. He must be first and His standards must be upheld. The Lord says be fair-minded and just, do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors, and quit your evil deeds. Pay attention to the instructions of the Lord, they are in place to save you, not destroy you. Yet if you will not heed the instruction of the Lord, destruction is your destiny and ruin is your fate. His word is a lamp unto our feet. He has given us all the warning and instruction we need. The choice is ours to embrace His word and live, or reject it and become ruined.
Application: I’ve never been to the “Holy Land” but I’ve heard many stories from some that have. They talk about the great cities that once were. They speak of the ruins that cause their minds to imagine what it must have been like then. However, I’ve never heard anyone talk of the reasons why the cities have fallen. Because we neglect God’s word we fail to even understand why they are left for us to view. People from many nations have walked through the ruins of old and asked the question, ‘Why did the Lord destroy such a great city?’ and yet the answer is found within the pages of God’s word. They committed adultery against God and worshipped other gods. They forsook and broke the first and greatest commandment. There is only one God, and there will never be another any greater than Him!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that instructs and teaches me Your ways. Thank You for the ruins left behind that reminds me to remain faithful to You. Give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. You are my God and above You there is no other! Keep me from idols, in Jesus name, Amen!