Isaiah 40:20

Thursday, August 20, 2020

“Or if people are too poor for that, they might at least choose wood that won’t decay and a skilled craftsman to carve an image that won’t fall down!

Personal note: Well, my first thought was why would there be such a tongue-in-cheek reply? And then I looked a little deeper. This scripture was a reference to the Philistines placing the ARK of the Covenant in the temple of their idol god, Dagon. Each morning they discovered that the statue had fallen until it had finally broken into pieces. On top of that, the people were hit by a plague of tumors on the city and surrounding areas. Read 1 Sam 5 and 6 for some great insight on the holiness of God’s presence.

• Lord God, there is none beside You and none above You. No one can compare to You and Your greatness. There is nothing I or mankind can create that hasn’t come from Your gifts of knowledge and skill.
• Forgive us, Lord, for taking pride in what we create when we don’t give You the glory. We recognize that whatever we accumulate in this life: wealth, property, jewels–essentially things, means nothing when we breathe our last breath. (Ecc 2:21)
• We acknowledge that lasting fruit is what we do in Jesus’ name and for Your Kingdom. (John15:16)
• Today we humble ourselves and stand in the gap for our nation. We ask Your forgiveness for the idolatry and rebellion that has been increasing over these last decades. Forgive us for tolerating the evils we see with our silence. Open our hearts to intercede for those who are lost and turning away from You, Your love and offered redemption. (2 Chr 4:17)
• We magnify Your name and exalt Your power. Help us to choose wisely and seek You first in all things. (Ps 34:3, Mt 6:33)