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I wonder what your school teachers were like. I suspect that we all had a wide range of experiences. Some of my teachers were strict, others were encouraging, a few were inspiring. Some seemed to be in the wrong job, others were funny - and some just thought they were funny! Teachers vary enormously, but when it comes to learning about life itself, we need the very best teacher. Here, David recognises that God is that person.

God is often spoken of as Israel’s teacher. In Isaiah 2:3, the prophet identified Jerusalem as the centre of education for the world when he wrote: “People from many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ For the LORD’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.”

Sadly, God’s teaching was often rejected. In Jeremiah’s prophecy we hear God saying: “My people have turned their backs on me and have refused to return. Even though I diligently taught them, they would not receive instruction or obey” (Jeremiah 32:33). Aren’t they painful words? No one likes it when someone turns their back on them, but when God’s own people reject his teaching, it must be excruciatingly painful.

If we are to grow in our walk with God, we need to listen hard to his instruction. Many people will help us on that journey, but God is the source of all faithful teaching. He sends us preachers, teachers, Bibles and study books, and surrounds us with Christian friends who can help us to understand what he is saying to us. To use the powerful language of Jeremiah’s prophecy, we need to make sure that we turn our faces to his teaching and not our backs.

What is God teaching you at the moment?

Loving Father, thank you that your teaching always encourages and strengthens us. Amen

Today’s readings come from Psalm 122, Hebrews 10:1-18, Ezekiel 19:1-20:44

We're kicking off an “Even If” series, exploring how to stay grounded in truth and integrity—even when it’s unpopular or misunderstood. Through real-life moments and biblical parallels, you'll be encouraged to hold fast to your faith in the face of doubt.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4qAPIqK

Today’s readings come from Psalm 121, Hebrews 9:16-28, Ezekiel 17 and 18

There have always been lots of gods on offer. A god is anything that calls for our commitment and devotion, and in every age, there has been a colourful variety of options. I once stayed with a journalist in Mumbai who had a remarkable variety of gods in his flat. There were pictures of many Hindu deities, but Jesus and Mary were there as well. Gods also come in more subtle forms. A person’s family or their job, house, bank balance, hobby or sport can be their god. All of those things are good in themselves, but when they are turned into gods, they take on a completely different and potentially destructive significance. King David was well aware of the wide range of gods that he could worship, but he concluded that the God of Israel was incomparably great. He alone was worthy of David’s commitment and devotion.

The prophets spent a lot of time mocking the false gods of their time. Isaiah mocked the wood carver who carefully worked with his chisel and plane to carve a human figure. He created a little shrine out of it and fell down in worship before it, crying: “Rescue me! You are my god.” He then took another part of the wood to make a fire with which he warmed himself and baked bread. Isaiah laughed at the sheer absurdity of this and called the wood carver a “poor, deluded fool” (Isaiah 44:20). Tough talk, but Isaiah knew that worshipping the one true God was something of infinite importance.

David and Isaiah’s straightforward approach to false gods needs to challenge our own attitudes. Like them, we would let other people down if we didn’t make it clear that any other god will be a complete disappointment. They may give encouragement for a while, but ultimately they are bound to let us down. Only the one true God will be faithful to us for time and eternity. Only he is worthy of our commitment and devotion.

What are the most common gods in our society?

Lord God, I commit my whole self to you as the one true God. Help me to be faithful to you and to take every opportunity to speak to others about your incomparable greatness. Amen

1) What is the relationship between experience and scripture?2) Why are Ephraim and Dan omitted from the list of the tribes in Revelation 7?3) Should or should we not associate with unsaved relatives?4) Are the turmoil and problems we have in so many churches a sign of the day we are living in, or the coldness and lack of Christian love in the hearts of believers?5) Was Judas predestined to betray Christ?6) Does the parable of the ten virgins teach that one can lose their salvation?

In addition to preaching the Gospel, the apostle Paul recognized the importance of establishing effective church leadership. Listen to Truth For Life as Alistair Begg walks us through Paul’s instruction concerning the function and responsibility of elders.

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This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today’s program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!