And that's the way it was (is)

It is easy for us to look down on the people in today’s readings. They seem almost laughable: worshipping golden calves and saying unbelievably evil things about our Lord Jesus Christ.

The sad truth is that people are doing the very same things today. Today’s idols are not generally shaped like golden calves, but the way of the world today is to worship material things and earthly pleasures: these are the things people chase after and even sacrifice for. Politicians establish laws without any regard for God or God’s truth – even the truth that needs no special revelation. As in the time of Hosea, although in accordance with the mode of democracy, these politicians make kings, but not by God’s authority, and establish princes, but without God’s approval. Laws and regulations are even established that put Christianity on the same level as Satanism. Articles are published that put Christian ministers in the same category as witch doctors.

No things haven’t changed all that much.

We need to make sure that we ourselves are not swept along with the way of the world today, a way that leads ultimately to disaster. We need more laborers for God’s harvest, heroes to stand against the way of the world and to testify to the love of God.

The harvest is abundant
but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.