June 13, 2018
What does it say?
Because there is only one true God, those who worship idols and trust in other gods will be ruined. God will destroy Babylon, despite all her bragging.
What does it mean?
In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Assyria and Babylon were the two superpowers of the Middle East. God used Assyria to punish the northern kingdom of Israel, and He used Babylon to punish the southern kingdom of Judah. In these two chapters God explained to the Babylonians that the reason they were able to succeed in capturing Israel was that God was punishing His own children. However, the Babylonians grew arrogant, as if their own gods were responsible for their success. God rebuked Babylon and foretold their punishment for their failure to treat God’s people with kindness and God Himself with respect.
How should I respond?
Sometimes we allow a blessing from God to go to our heads, thinking it was a reward for being such a great person. The Bible tells us that every good gift is from God (James 1:17). He might have blessed us as a reward for something good we have done. Then again, maybe He blessed us because He wants to do something through us for others. Think about a blessing God has given you recently. It could be money, time, energy, compassion, or the ability to influence others. How can you use that blessing to bring others closer to God? How can you turn it into a means to bless others?