Tag Archives: foreign gods

Philosophers Began to Debate with Him

27 Monday Oct 2025

Posted by in Psalm 5

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”

Autumn reflections — photo by David Kitz


Today’s Reading: Psalm 5:1-7

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Heavenly Father,
I call out to you.
I lay out my requests.
Teach me to wait expectantly for you.
Open my ears to hear your voice.
I want to be tuned into you
throughout my day.
Amen.

— — — —

Autumn Splendor – photo by David Kitz

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens,
he was greatly distressed to see
that the city was full of idols.
So he reasoned in the synagogue
with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks,
as well as in the marketplace day by day
with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers
began to debate with him.
Some of them asked,
“What is this babbler trying to say?”
Others remarked,
“He seems to be advocating foreign gods.”
They said this because
Paul was preaching the good news
about Jesus and the resurrection.
(Acts 17:16-18 NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Thank God for peace in Israel and Gaza,
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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Choose Whom You Will Serve

09 Monday Jun 2025

Posted by in Psalm 115

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.


Reading: Psalm 115:1-8

Father God,
 show me if there are idols in my life.
In love,
correct me when I stray.
I want to serve you—
put you first in my life.
Lord Jesus,
be my master.
It’s an honor to serve you. 
Amen.

— — — —

“Now fear the LORD
and serve him with all faithfulness. 
Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped
beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, 
and serve the LORD.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates,
or the gods of the Amorites,
 in whose land you are living.
But as for me and my household, 
we will serve the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:14-15 NIV)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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Emboldened by God

21 Tuesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 138, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 138
Of David
(Verses 1-5)
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, LORD,
when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great (NIV)

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David knew his God and was quick to give Him praise — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
David was wholehearted in all that he did, so it should not surprise us that he begins Psalm 138 with this assertion: I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. 

David, the shepherd king, wasn’t shy or reticent about offering praise to the LORD. He knew his God and was quick to give Him praise. He would even praise the LORD before foreign gods. Elsewhere in the psalms we see this declaration: For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens (Psalm 96:4-5).

During David’s time each nation had its own national god. These national gods were represented by carved idols of wood, metal or stone. But Israel had no idol. They were strictly forbidden to make any image or likeness of the LORD (Yahweh). See the First Commandment, Exodus 20:3-6. This prohibition set Israel apart. They were the people with no visible god.

But why settle for a visible god, when you can have the invisible God who fills the entire universe? Why settle for a national god, when you can have the LORD who created the heavens and the earth? Inevitably, if we fashion our own god, we will create a god who is far too small. The true God is far bigger, far wiser, and far more just, and compassionate than we can ever imagine. How can we as finite creatures begin to fathom the infinite power and glory of God?

By His great mercy the LORD reveals Himself to us. He does that best through His Son. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15). Jesus helps make the infinite God comprehensible to us, so we can join with David’s anthem of praise. May all the kings of the earth praise you, LORD, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

Response: LORD God, I praise you for your unfailing love and your faithfulness. Thank you for answering my prayers. You give me courage, and like David, you greatly emboldened me to carry on. Amen.

Your Turn: How big is your God? Is He bigger than your problems—bigger than your doubts?