The woodworker stretches out a measuring line, he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it according to a human likeness, like a beautiful person, to dwell in a temple. He cuts down cedars for his use, or he takes a cypress or an oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it and warms himself; also he kindles a fire and bakes bread; he even makes it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol from it and bows down to it. He burns half of it in a fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. He warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm, I see the blaze.” He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it. He bows down to it and worships; He prays to it, “Save me, for you are my god.” Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand. No one reflects, no one has the perception or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, I also baked bread on its coals, I roasted meat and ate. I will make something detestable with the rest of it, and I will bow down to a block of wood.” He feeds on ashes. His deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself, or say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I formed you, you are My servant; Israel, you will never be forgotten by Me. I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted; shout, depths of the earth. Break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorifies Himself through Israel. – Isaiah 44:13-23
Do we not stand guilty this morning as both idol maker and idol worshiper?
What have we forged with iron or carved with wood that we’ve put our trust and faith in?
What have we planned for, worked for and, whether consciously or not, actually worshiped with our time, energy, and thoughts?
Have we too deceived ourselves believing that our IRA, our property, savings account and Medicare are our practical and actual ‘assurance’ in this world?
Can a man trick death and physical hardships with positive thinking, diet, exercise, and vitamin supplements? The world thinks so.
Is the true measure of a man’s soul, conscience, purpose and character the sum of what can be spun into Facebook postings, bragged on sitting on bar stools, or whispered with the water-cooler gossips?
All of us are guilty. All of us are idol makers. All of us feed on the ashes of the many idols we have kindled then gorged on when we’ve gone astray from our Maker.
Remember your God. Remember His mercies and His work for you. Remember the price He has paid to redeem you that you might be His faithful servant.
Repent from such idol worship. Return to Him. Rejoice that for His Name’s sake He has swept away our betrayal, our foolishness, our deception.
He has given us a new life to honor Him for all the days we have left – according to His purposes, His timeline, and His glory.
Glory to God in the highest!
Turn to Me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth.
For I am God,
There is no other. – Isaiah 45:2
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