Evening, May 29
<< Evening, May 29 >>
Household gods give worthless advice,
        fortune-tellers predict only lies,
and interpreters of dreams pronounce
        falsehoods that give no comfort.
        So my people are wandering like lost sheep;
        they are attacked because they have no shepherd.
Insight
We often create idols of money, power, fame, or success, and then we expect them to give us happiness and security. But these idols can't supply what we need any more than a stone image can make it rain.
Challenge
How foolish it is to trust in idols. Instead, trust God's promises for your future.
Joshua 6:26  Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.

Since he was cursed who rebuilt Jericho, much more the man who labors to restore Popery among us. In our fathers' days the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavours, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in the world. This last can be done in secret by fervent prayer, and in public by decided testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those who are inclined towards the errors of Rome; we must instruct the young in gospel truth, and tell them of the black doings of Popery in the olden times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for priests, like owls, hate daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of the priestcraft. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the Pope's bane and poison? Are we casting abroad good, sound gospel writings? Luther once said, "The devil hates goose quills" and, doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit's blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who will read this short word this night will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this accursed Jericho, the Lord's glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?


Psalm 55:6  I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Jonah 4:8  When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, "Death is better to me than life."

Job 3:2,20,21  And Job said, • "Why is light given to him who suffers, And life to the bitter of soul, • Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

Psalm 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

John 12:27  "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour '? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

Hebrews 2:17,18  Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. • For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ? 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

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