The rest of mankind who were not killed by these
plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop
worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and
wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk.
Verse 21 goes on to say, ‘Nor did they
repent of their murders, their
magic arts, their sexual
immorality or their thefts’.
All these actions
are growing in frequency nowadays. I would add selfishness to these, ‘I’m
alright Jack’ comes to mind!
How
many people in this pandemic ravaged world are still more intent on making
money and gathering ‘treasures’ than they are in the health of themselves or
others.
These individuals
will probably be the same ones who were sacrificing their family lives before
the pandemic even started. What they worry about is quantity, rather than
quality. Maybe instead of work it is an addiction they are sacrificing to. How
many people have found themselves alone because they put their work/addiction
before their family, who in turn couldn’t?
Only Almighty God
has ever been worthy of receiving a sacrifice, sacrifice to anything else is
idolatry. In fact, Jesus made the ultimate Sacrifice when He shed His blood on
the cross. We praise God that Jesus rose again so that we would know that death
had been beaten.
The focus on
money and possessions is such that the divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have
nots’ is widening daily. Are any of us part of that crisis? Not everyone is
able to help financially but prayer costs nothing except some of our time.
Prayer is sometimes
hard for me at the minute because I hardly know where to start. So much of the
world is suffering disease, hunger, thirst and a place of safety to lay their
heads, while others can only think of ways to profit from the situation we are
in.
Even
here in UK we are seeing the result of this in the increase in foodbanks and
charity shops. I have got to say too that some of the ‘charity’ shops also seem
to be cashing in on the needy. One of my neighbours showed me a nice top she
had bought in one of the local shops. I had just bought the same one and paid
exactly £1 more than she did and that was not in a charity shop.
Prayer
Lord
God, You see what is happening on earth today. Please let Your Holy Spirit lead
us in the prayers needed for the healing of the most needy countries in the
world. We know there are some people who are not interested in the needs of others,
as long as they are OK. Please open eyes and hearts so that through our prayers
we may each be able to help in a small way. Thank You for hearing our prayer.
Amen.
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