Our Bible study, that meets each Thursday in our home, is studying the book of Isaiah this year. Isaiah was a prophet, probably the best known prophet, who prophesied about God’s judgement and eventual comfort and hope offered to the people of Israel if they would finally return to God and stop the worship of idols as well as other sins they had committed. Many times throughout the book, we are reminded of the straying of God’s people as they put their faith in man-made idols. We are even told about the idols made by the rich as well as idols made out of wood by those who not able to afford the skilled craftsmen necessary to construct the gold and silver monuments.
At one point in the book, God even questions how the people can even construct a “god” when they were crated by the one and only God. The created is never greater than the Creator. It occurs to me that we can be much the same, even though we have heard the Good News of Jesus offered to us in the New Testament. Any time that we worship money, or anything else that pushes God into the background, we are as guilty of worshipping idols as the people of Israel.
At times in his book, Isaiah is quite emphatic about the need to turn back to God and not depend on the false gods that people were putting their faith in. Thousands of years later, we are well served to remember the lessons that were so painful for the Israelites to learn. Even today, they don’t believe that the Messiah has already come. But our role, as Christ followers, is to spread the Good news to all who will listen, regardless of their faith background.
And it is important that we don’t worship idols, either. There is no substitute for a relationship with the God of the universe – not some man-made alternative incapable of loving or being loved. The verse for this evening highlights God’s speech, through Isaiah, regarding His supremacy. We are told, in Isaiah 43:10-14, “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel…”
My encouragement tonight is that there is only one God and He desires to be loved by you. My prayer is that you will consider the idols that may be taking the place of God in your life and that you will make amends and your faith in the living God. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…