October 9, 2019
Acts 17:16, 17:30-31
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
New International Version (NIV)
                Athens had more idols than residents.  Imagine Paul cresting the hill entering the city to discover the proliferation of idols.  He was incensed to think that a city known for wisdom could be so foolish.

                J. R. Vassar, who planted a church in Manhattan once told a story in his book Glory Hunger,  about the day he and friends were prayer-walking through a large Buddhist temple in Myanmar, when he witnessed something heartbreaking. A large number of people, very poor and desperate, were bowing down to a large golden Buddha. They were stuffing what seemed to be the last of their money into the treasury box and kneeling in prayer, hoping to secure a blessing from the Buddha. On the other side of the large golden idol, scaffolding had been built. The Buddha had begun to deteriorate, and a group of workers was diligently repairing the broken Buddha. J. R. took in the scene. Broken people were bowing down to a broken Buddha asking the broken Buddha to fix their broken lives while someone else fixed the broken Buddha.

                No wonder Christopher Wright says, “False gods never fail to fail.”  In the same way our gods of possessions and sports and pleasure and substances will fail us every time.  In Isaiah 44:9; Jeremiah 2:5, Psalm 115:8, the scripture warns us that those who worship idols will become like them – strangely silent, exhaustively empty, infinitely  impotent.  Paul warned the Athenians that the living God will one day judge those who worship idols.  A few took his words to heart and believed.  What shall we do?  
Pray with me the words William Cowper wrote:       
"The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee."  In Jesus' name.  Amen.  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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