18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

20 For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

— Romans 1:18-21

11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

— 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

— John 3:36

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

God’s wrath is against humanity’s truth-suppressing wickedness and against the atheists’ unwillingness of living in alignment with God’s Word. In the absence of God’s truth, sin corrupts human thoughts and values. What Paul describes about God’s grace that can save us from the downward spiral amazes us. At the same time, though saved by grace, believers also mourn sin’s devastating impact on the world. While we grieve for those who remain shackled to sin and pray for their deliverance, let’s bear witness to the gift of salvation Jesus offers.

The shimmering stars call for breathless wonder. A newborn baby’s cry invites humble gratitude. The splendor of majestic mountains, canyons, or waterfalls summons appreciation. And yet, people see God’s qualities, experience Him through creation, and still fail to honor Him. God deserves thanks for the food the earth produces and praise for the wonders creation displays. When people refuse to give God glory and thanks, both personal and global disaster results.