Idolatry and the one true God
by Pastor Tim Klein
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save (Isaiah 46:4b).
Today is about idolatry: comparing idols with the one true God.
Bel (alternatively known as Baal) and Nebo are the supreme idols of Babylon in the time of Isaiah. Here, ahead of the Persian invasion and the fall of Babylon, Isaiah denounces them as useless for saving anyone. Instead, they are rescued, loaded onto wagons, a burden on the people, and carried away to safety.
In contrast, the Lord speaks to his people. Listen up! You are no burden to me, and I am no burden to you. You don’t have to carry me around in a cart – you don’t have to rescue me! The opposite is the truth: ‘I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save’.
God’s people are a stubborn bunch and easily swayed. How frustrating for the Lord when his chosen people, the ones he loved and set apart as his own, continually chased after other idols. They even knew they were chasing empty promises and hope – useless lumps of metal and other idols that could do nothing for them.
It must be frustrating for our God when we chase after idols with no lasting value or worth. They may offer but finally cannot deliver. God observes us as he observed those Israelites in Babylonia with their Babylonian idols: They lift it to their shoulders, carry it, set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries out to it, it does not answer or save anyone from trouble.
Instead, he invites us – as he invited them – to remember: you ‘who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, even when you turn grey I will carry you’.
‘Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no-one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfil my intention”’ (Isaiah 46:9,10).
Take time to reflect on our modern-day idols and ask yourself, ‘What use are they?’ Then think about all the Lord our God has done and promises to do for you through Jesus.
Our Heavenly Father, you are God, and no-one is like you. You declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times, the things not yet done. You say, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfil my intention’! Open our hearts and minds to recognise what you have done, are doing, and have promised to do. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tim is the husband of the lovely Joylene, father of three and their spouses, and Pa to nine grandchildren. Tim loves family time. He also loves family time with his faith family at Faith Warradale, where he has served as the pastor for eight years. He has served as a pastor of the church in various capacities for more than 30 years. Tim also enjoys photography, pushbike riding and gardening and is a self-taught guitarist, Adelaide Conservatorium-trained singer, and writer of an occasional song. Tim says he looks forward to a couple more years as a full-time pastor and is open to where the Lord would use him beyond that.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
