Undiluted Faith

Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the LORD, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the LORD our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’ Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. [Jeremiah 5.21-25]

Here is why God hates idolatry: Idolatry blinds and deafens people to the works and Word of God.

What today blinds and deafens us to God's works and His Word? Let's see...

Relative to Jeremiah's words above, science tells us man can control the levels of the oceans by controlling his carbon emissions. Hmm, God said HE defines the ocean's sandy shoreline... Science tells us weather is the result of a "big bang" having set the course of the earth through space in relation to the Sun in such a manner to cause the seasons and corresponding weather patterns. Hmm, God said he gives us rain each spring and fall...

Yes, man's knowledge has become an idol that has blinded men's eyes and deafened man's ears to God's works and His Word. Consequently, when science excludes God, men do not worship God and are thus deprived ...of these wonderful blessings.

We should all do a FULL STOP to what we have believed up to this point and see instead what God's Word says. If we are believing anything contrary to what God has said, we are in error and need to repent. I will go so far as to suggest that if we are believing anything supplementary to what God has said, we need a serious check-up as well. Let me explain: This sentence presents a supplementary idol: "I know God said He is my healer and that if I simply trust Him He will care for me... but He gave us medicine to accomplish that."

So, again, here is what God said through Jeremiah: Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Have you no respect for me?

Today's OYCB reading goes on to the story of Josiah purifying the people and cleansing the Temple. Through the history of Israel, this response to God ALWAYS meant getting rid of idols and their pagan worship practices! ALWAYS!

Here is a passage in today's reading to support our need for a FULL STOP:

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ [Jeremiah 6.16]

And furthermore, man's own scheme of science has become entirely too exclusive of God. Today's reading seems to touch on that problem too:

Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word. [Jeremiah 6.19]

Father, I am sorry for "believing the science" instead of Your Word. May I be found seeking every way possible to exclude the influence of man from diluting my trust in You. May my faith in You be pure and holy in Your sight!