Daily Devotional
The Lord Reigns Alone
The two readings join in one summons: fear God, not the powers that glitter before men. Deuteronomy speaks to Israel going into battle, not trusting horses and chariots, but the Lord who brought them out of bondage. The psalm shows why such courage is fitting: the Lord reigns, and all the earth must answer to Him. His throne is not built on force or show, but on righteousness and judgment. Therefore courage is not loudness, but steadfast obedience under His rule.
For this reason idols must not be spared. What rivals the fear of God must be cast down, whether carved in wood or set up in the heart by greed, honor, or appetite. Tertullian says, “You shall overthrow all their altars, you shall overturn and break in pieces their pillars, and cut down their groves, and burn with fire the graven images of the gods themselves, and destroy the names of them out of that place.” The psalm agrees: all who glory in idols are put to shame, because the Lord alone is high above all the earth.
Yet the destruction of idols is not only tearing down false worship; it is turning with mercy toward what bears God’s image. Lactantius says, “For if the worshippers of gods adore senseless images, and bestow upon them whatever they have which is precious, though they can neither make use of them nor give thanks because they have received them, how much more just and true is it to reverence the living images of God, that you may gain the favour of the living God!” If God reigns, then let His saints hate evil, keep their hands from vain offerings, and spend themselves instead on prayer, alms, and faithful endurance.
“You shall overthrow all their altars, you shall overturn and break in pieces their pillars, and cut down their groves, and burn with fire the graven images of the gods themselves, and destroy the names of them out of that place.”
— Tertullian, Scorpiace
“For if the worshippers of gods adore senseless images, and bestow upon them whatever they have which is precious, though they can neither make use of them nor give thanks because they have received them, how much more just and true is it to reverence the living images of God, that you may gain the favour of the living God!”
— Lactantius, The Divine Institutes
For Reflection & Discussion
What rival to the fear of God will you cast down this week by a concrete act: ending a vain habit, removing an object, refusing an unjust gain, or confessing a hidden sin?
How will you show reverence to the living image of God today by giving money, food, time, or care to a poor, sick, lonely, or burdensome neighbor?
When you meet a power that intimidates you, what act of obedience will you keep instead of yielding to fear: set prayer at the appointed hour, truth-telling, forgiveness, or patient endurance without complaint?
Start the One-Year Plan Today — Completely Free
Read or listen through the whole Bible in 365 days with audio that highlights every word, a progress calendar, streaks, friends — and a devotional like this one at the end of every day.