Written by Timothy Keller (1950-2023), a pastor, preacher, theologian, and Christian apologist. This is an excerpt from his book “The Gift of God: Romans 1-7.”
God’s revealed wrath is the cause of the disintegration we see all around. Because God’s punishment is simply to “give us over” to the things we worship and want, the reality of God’s wrath is seen in the fact that we do just that—worship created things and look for our meaning and purpose in them. So God’s wrath in the person who, having rejected the truth, cannot understand who Jesus is; the person who has made choices in their life which have left them disappointed or despairing; the father who doesn’t see his family because he is chasing the promotion he “must have”; and so on. When we sin, it sets up strains in the fabric of life in God’s world, and leads to breakdowns spiritually, psychologically, socially, and physically.
Prayer:
Written by Julia Bruce, a contemporary speaker, author, and CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries.
Father, give us a hunger and thirst for righteousness that causes us to seek after you with all our hearts, minds, and soul. May we say, with David, “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for you.” God, reveal and convicts us of any idols we have created in our lives. Help us to see the lie of the idol and exchange it for Your truth. God, today, your people stand before You, choosing to throw down our idol and bow before you in worship and praise of our Holy and loving Creator. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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