“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Worshipping Your Own Creation

All who make idols are nothing,and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Isaiah 44:9

There is much richness in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. More verses from Isaiah are referenced in the New Testament than almost any other OT book (Psalms is actually first, if you're curious). I was saved in it 53rd chapter, and I am blessed anew each time I read through it.

And every time I read through the 44th chapter, I laugh, shake my head - and then bow my head with conviction.

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Much of Isaiah 44 is about the foolishness of idols and those who worship them. Isaiah tells of a man who takes a piece of wood and uses half of it to make a fire to warm him and cook his meal. With the other half,
he carves an idol and bows down and worships it.

Ridiculous, isn't it?
No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” Isaiah 44:19
How can anyone with sense worship, and ask for divine help from, something they made themselves? (Isaiah 44:17)

And that's when the conviction shows up. Because I do exactly that. Dictionary.com defines worship as, among other things, adoring reverence or regard. And, by that definition, I certainly spend at least some time worshipping my technology gadgets. My schedule (OH yeah). My work. My family. My ministry.

Am I any less foolish than they are? Maybe not.


Nothing deserves our worship except God. Salvation comes from nobody, and nothing, else. Don't worship your own (or man's) creation. Worship your own Creator instead. He is worthy.

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We're discussing this here, and at Living by Grace on Facebook. Won't you join us?

 
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths

6 comments:

  1. Great post Joann. Yesterday our pastor commented that every sin could be traced back to some sort of idolatry in our lives. "No other gods" means "no other gods"! Thanks for writing!

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    1. Every sin? Wow - will have to ponder that one for a while, I think. Thanks for stopping by, Tom.

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  2. Oh how much easier it is to see the foolish of the actions of those in the Bible. And then the Holy Spirit comes along and points out just much we all have in common.

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  3. So true, wanda. So glad for the Spirit to remind me why He wants us reading in the first place. :)

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  4. Good post Joanne.. It's very hard to see those idols in our lives..I thinks it's because we've made them so shiny and bright.. Thankfully the Holy Spirit (if we allow him) can take off that shiny cover and reveal them to us.. thanks for the reminder! God bless ya!

    deb

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    Replies
    1. God bless you as well, Debbie - and you're so right. Need to let the Spirit work! Blessings, and thanks for stopping by.

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