What is the most important difference between a beautiful diamond and a beautiful baby? The baby is alive and the diamond is not. The diamond may be stunningly beautiful and extravagantly expensive, but it’s a dead mineral whereas the baby is brimming with life.
Jeremiah teaches us that there are two kinds of gods that people worship: dead idols or the living God. Idols may have beautiful temples built to honor them and profound theologies written to explain them, but they are dead. There is no power of life within them.
One of the greatest truths of the Bible is that unlike every other god ever worshipped, our God is the living God. Life is part of His very nature: rich, vibrant, and overflowing. It’s a life that can never be extinguished or taken from Him.
A dead god cares for nothing and redeems no one. How foolish to worship or depend on the dead gods of this world.
Our living God cares for us deeply. He is our help when trouble comes. Even death itself will not destroy us; He has redeemed us from its power. What a privilege it is to worship and serve the God who is alive, the living God!
Lord, thank You that You are alive. There really is no one like You! I live in the world You have made and where You are active and alive for Your people. Help me to trust You above all other things. I find this hard at times, Lord, but I seek You with a full heart. Amen.
Take Action
Ask God to show you if there is a “dead god” in your life in which you are placing your hope. This could be anything that you trust more than Jesus. It may be a good thing, but it must not become a substitute for trusting in the true and Living God who loves you. If He reveals something to you, confess it and ask God to help you trust Him more fully.
Deal a death-blow to the idols in your life. Read Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller.