“No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!” (Isaiah 44:19, NASB95)

This is the last verse of a parable that God had Isaiah share with the people of Israel (and you and me).  God speaks of the futility of idolatry. He tells us of the man who plants a seedling. Over the years, the Lord causes the rain to fall upon the earth and the sun to shine to give the tree nourishment. Once the tree is full grown, the man cuts it down.  He uses one third of the wood for the fire which keeps him warm at night.  He uses another third in the fire to prepare his daily food. Then he uses the last third to carve an image to which he will bow down and say, “You are my god!” What futility! He is falling down and worshiping a “block of wood”. How could the wood that God caused to grow be good for anything more than for earthly purposes (fire, furniture, etc.)? How can one make the jump that the same wood could be deified if he just deems it to be?

We all should look deeply into our current worldview.  It is a worldview that has deified the earthly. We have turned nature and ourselves into deities. We will quickly see how futile our thinking is. Satan has blinded our eyes and has caused us to believe the unbelievable. He has caused us to put our faith in the things of this world. We have fallen into the same trap as the people of Isaiah’s day.

Let’s step back for a minute.  Let’s open our eyes of faith and realize that God must be outside of us. He must be outside of that which is created. He must be the Architect, Designer and Creator. He is the Creator of the very things that we are attempting to deify. As we step back, may we recognize Him for who He is and give the praise and honor and glory to His Name.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church