a comfortable nation: One Year Bible Reading for October 26

 Today we read from these verses in the One Year Bible:

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46
Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 26:13-16 

Let's look at Jeremiah. He says something that we in America might find chilling. He says, "Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence." That sound familiar? I feel like the US is a nation at ease, which lives in confidence. That we are very comfortable in our (mostly) urban and suburban lives. And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. People work and fight hard to provide the peace that allows us to live lives of safety and security. Our children SHOULD grow up in a place where they're safe from daily death and can pursue their interests and grow their minds.

But we should also keep in mind that this peace is fragile. That our security isn't a given. That it's possible for the same thing to happen to us that happened to many nations in the Old Testament - for us to be overrun and destroyed. Right now most of our destruction seems to be coming from within our country, but some other countries seem poised to strike if we become weak.

Pray for peace.

God, thanks for reminding us of the fragility of our security.