August 28
Bible Reading: Acts 14:16-18
Acts 14:15-17, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
The worship of false gods was an integral part of daily life in Lystra, as it was throughout the Roman Empire. Folks worshipped a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, each somehow associated with different aspects of life and nature. Temples and altars were a common sight, and people sacrificed to appease the gods. There were also household gods who were called upon to protect one’s family and home. People performed rituals such as prayers and offerings to please the gods and ensure their favor. If things were going well, people assumed it was because they had pleased the gods, and if troubles ensued, it was because they had not. There were way too many gods to keep track of and try to keep happy, and the bigger problem was that none of them were real!
The folks wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas, supposing them to be Hermes and Zeus, but Paul directed their attention to the one true God who is alone is worthy of worship. Since Paul’s audience was pagan, he focused on the common ground in the general revelation availed to all. The false gods and goddesses were man-created myths, but the true God is He who “made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them” (Acts 14:15). While the power of the false gods was imagined and limited, God rules over the nations. To gain favor from a false god, it was necessary to meet his demands, but God left a witness to all in freely providing rain and fruitful seasons and associated blessings.
Indeed, to worship the idols was to worship and serve vain things. Paul’s message emphasized the need to turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). The living God is a giving and forgiving God. The others were just man-imagined phantoms.
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”—Psalm 119:37
THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!
LookingtoJesus 