Object opened: Jeremiah 48—52
Mood when opened: Stricken with guilt
Mood when closed: Comforted by God's sovereignty
It's all been leading up to this, hasn't it? Judgment is finally sent, and the sinners in the hands of an angry God are receiving what they deserve in that just Judge's eyes. When it came to the utter destruction of Babylon in chapter 51, these verses stood out to me:
15 “It is he who made the earth by his power,
who established the world by his wisdom,
and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
16 When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
17 Every man is stupid and without knowledge;
every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols,
for his images are false,
and there is no breath in them.
18 They are worthless, a work of delusion;
at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
19 Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob,
for he is the one who formed all things,
and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance;
the Lord of hosts is his name.
Just look at how amazing He is. Look at how amazing our God is. The fact alone that HE is the Creator of all things stands as something for us to marvel at. Then look at creation and how each little detail screams of God's wisdom, power, and might to even think of design and artistry. Yet man—yet we—create idols in our lives and use them to lie to ourselves that everything is okay... that judgment will not be sent. How pride makes a fool of us. How it ruins us from the inside out.
When God referred to Babylon, He used the title "proud one." This just reminds me that pride is the stem to many, many sins. My Father is a God who made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heavens with His understanding. And I—I am just a being of a fallen race loved by that very God. And He is watching me as I live in my pride and constantly choose the idol that is I over the Lord that is He. I can't stop sinning, but I can choose to have my heart right. I can choose to take down that idol in me before it ruins me. I can choose my God on high who has called me His.
His creation reminds me of His sovereignty in the world. His sovereignty reminds me of His amazing grace. His grace, though ever-sufficient, reminds me of His calling to love Him. His calling reminds me to break down my pride, let go of the sins that follow it, and go to the One who sent my Redeemer.
"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."
—Acts 3:19, 20
—Acts 3:19, 20