Only One God Saves

Jeremiah 11:12 - Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

I read an article about a change that is taking place in America. About how we have turned our back on God. I also happened to be reading in Jeremiah which touches on a similar issue. I love when God does this.

God was telling Jeremiah he must remind the people of the covenant He had with them. Listen to a few of His words from Jeremiah 11:
"...and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant..."
"‘Obey My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God,’ that I may establish the oath which I have sworn to your fathers, to give them ‘a land flowing with milk and honey...'"

God reminded Jeremiah how He brought them out of bondage in Egypt (which is a type of the world). If God has done good to this nation because we once were a strong Christian nation, why would we want to give that up? Oh...because, like the article states, we would rather do things our own way.

"Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone followed the dictates of his evil heart; therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but which they have not done.’”
They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers."

These are not my words. These are not my commands. These are words for all of us. But we have the choice to listen or do as these people did. History repeats itself. We were given instructions and examples so that we can know the truth.

I don't know why but I thought of the prophet Elijah, a prophet of God. There were hundreds of other so-called prophets...of Baal...that the people chose to listen to. Remember what he told the people: And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (‭1Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬)

So to prove a point, he had these prophets build an altar, take a bull and call on their gods to burn it up without their setting it on fire. So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. (‭1Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭26-27,29‬)

So it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the same altar, dug a trench around it, added wood, and had water poured over the animal sacrifice and the wood. He had this done three times, till the trench was even full of water. Elijah called out: "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel..." He called out that He would hear and the people would again turn back to Him. Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. (‭1Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭38‬)

Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” (‭1Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭39‬)

In today's day of calamity, the same is true. People will rely on their gods to get them out of trouble and it will not happen. Stuff can't buy gods, nor should it be our god. It cannot earn God's approval either. Trusting in the one true God, however, even at the point of death, will bring everlasting life. We can have something much greater than (gods of) silver, gold or treasure. We can have Jesus Christ who will supply all our needs. And the greatest need is a spiritual one with anything He desires to give us after that following. But first we need to know we need to rely on Him. First and foremost.

Which god/God? I am reminded that one day every knee shall bow and tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord...to the glory of God. Just as there was one God for Israel, there is one God for us today. Our gods are meaningless and do not save. There is only one God who saves. It's up to us to make the choice. He wants us to make the right choice.

Jeremiah 11:11 - Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them [who have turned their back on a Him and served other gods] which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them."