Worthless

All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless.

Isaiah 44:9

I admire people who have the natural gift to build things with their hands. My Dad is one of these types of individuals who can build just about anything. He has made me furniture, accessories for my kitchen, and small trinkets. His gifts are treasured and appreciated. As much as I love these pieces, I would never worship them.

In this chapter of Isaiah, God lays it out very clearly when He says, “I am the first and the last apart from me there is no God” (44:6). Yet God’s chosen people refused to take the Lord Almighty at His word and built idols out of wood and metal. These people take their resources used for everyday life and construct an image that they can bow down to and worship.

Isaiah 44:16-17 gives us a clear image of their behavior, “Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see fire. From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, “Save me! You are my god!”

Wood, marble, metal, and stone are strong and reliable, but they are worthless as a god.

“No one is like you, Lord; You are great and Your name is mighty in power” (Jeremiah 10:6).

“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King” (Jerimiah 10:10).

Watching people who can take a block of wood or a piece of marble and form it into an image or design is incredible. However we should worship the God who created these amazing gifts and talents and not the person, the image, or the talent itself.

Forgive us God for placing anything we have above You. You alone are worthy of our praise.

Charity O