During an outreach opportunity, I noticed a lot of the people seemed unreceptive to the gospel. They were either too busy or didn’t want anything to do with what we had to say about Jesus. Being in the business district part of the city, you could tell people had money, or were in debt up to their eyeballs, and excited to spend some more money on various vanities throughout the city. With such nice things, you would think you would see smiling faces and kindness all around, but this was not the case. On the other hand, a guy with our group noticed a humble lady digging through some of the trash on the street. He felt the Holy Spirit convict him to go talk to her, so he did. While talking to her, he noticed how joyful she was and discovered that she had a clear testimony of salvation. After his conversation with the lady, he noticed the ones around him and saw their faces showing no joy or happiness, only a stern look of discontent. Most others in this area have all this world has to offer, but they don’t have what the lady digging through the trash will have, and that’s heavenly treasures. Reading Jeremiah 50:21-46, we have Israel (the lady digging through the trash) and Babylon (the rich). Babylon is going to be judged by God, and it’s a harsh judgment, which is very similar to his judgment on Israel when he allowed Babylon to take over. I see two very distinct similarities that provoked God's wrath on Israel and now Babylon. The first thing to note is the pride in Babylon. Verses 29-32 describe the pride of Babylon that leads to its destruction. God is going to judge their pride and quickly humble them by not allowing the proud to escape, but instead, make them stumble and fall. This is like some of us today when we get prideful, it is a sin. God will rightly judge us for this, and like the proud in Babylon, our pride will not go unnoticed. The second is Idolatry present in Babylon. In Verse 38, it’s the idolatry that leads to its desolation. Possibly, the biggest reason God allowed Israel to fall was because of idolatry. This, to me, is proof that no matter who you are or where you are from, God is going to judge us righteously. Babylon is not God's chosen people, but He is still judging these two nations for similar sins. Pride and idolatry are rampant around the world, in our communities, and in churches. These two sins go hand in hand, and God despises both. Some verses on idolatry in Colossians 3:5-7 says, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” A well-known verse on pride is James 4:6: “Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Both sins led to the destruction of the two countries. If God destroys nations because of pride and idolatry, he can destroy anyone for the same cause.

It's important to stay humble like the lady digging through the trash, just looking for a way to make it to tomorrow, knowing she has treasures in Heaven. Christ's words in Luke 14:11 “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” When we focus on our humility, it's easier for us to focus on God and keep the idols of men away. I love the simple verse in 1 John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” We are constantly battling the flesh, but if we keep near to God, it makes it that much easier for us to discern when we might start to take a turn down the wrong street.