Tuesday, September 26, 2023
“And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:15-17 KJV).
Dear friend, would you like to know the true God?
In today’s Scripture, Apostles Barnabas and Paul are correcting the erroneous thinking of idolatrous people who have mistaken two lowly creatures for the mighty Creator. Having just witnessed Paul heal a lame man in their town (see verses 8-10), these people of Lystra declare about Barnabas and Paul, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men” (verse 11). In their minds, Barnabas is Jupiter (Zeus), the king of the gods, while Paul is Mercurius (Mercury, Hermes), the messenger of the gods (verse 12). Furthermore, the citizens of Lystra bring sacrificial offerings to worship Barnabas and Paul (verse 13)! In today’s Scripture, Paul and Barnabas order them to stop their nonsense, to give up their “vanities” (empty, useless, worthless, profitless idols), and to come to faith in “the living God!”
We may find the above historical event most amusing, but this passage is just as applicable today as it was 2,000 years back. No matter how sincere, kind, or brilliant we are, it is human nature to “worship and serve the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Therefore, if we are not vigilant, someone or something will occupy God’s position in our life. It might be ourself, a religious leader, an idea, a habit, a possession, the natural world, or some fictitious entity. Regardless, whenever we willingly shut out any light our Creator has given us, we go the way of darkness and ignorance—which explains our world’s terrible conditions (read Romans 1:18-32, remembering Acts 14:11-17). We do not need more education, social reform, tolerance, or wealth. What we need is to know the true God as He reveals Himself in the Holy Bible!
NOTE: We have now begun our tenth 500-devotional unit. Remember, all previous 4,500 devotionals of “333 Words of Grace” are archived here for your convenience: https://333wordsofgrace.org/master-list-of-devotionals-chronological/.
333 Words of Grace 