Saturday 26 May 2018

May 26: Isaiah 42:14-17

Key Verse: Isaiah 42:17
But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.

Devotion:
How many cultures around the world can you think of who bow down towards small statues of their gods? How many people willingly carve a figurine which depicts their god so they can worship before it? There are people all around the world who do exactly that and many of them will make statues of Jesus too; but what we cannot know without talking to them is who they are actually praying to. It is interesting to look into different cultures to see how they worship their gods and to get to know something about the gods they worship. Our bibles tell us there is only one God and He is the creator of everything. The record in our bibles comes from the people who have recorded things that have happened. These scriptures have been passed down generation after generation so people can be told the truth.

It is when fear approaches that many will turn to a god for support; it is at that time many will bring out a statue or symbol which depicts their god in the hopes it will in some way conquer their fear. These words from Isaiah may sound harsh at times, but when you take them in context and realise people are putting little figurines in place instead of our all-powerful God; things fall into perspective. He reminds us God sees and hears everything. This does not mean we have to tremble with fear that He is going to come and force us to our knees or demolish our world, but that when we see the truth we will willingly bow down before Him and accept His will in our lives.

In other words, there is no other god who will show him or herself in a manner depicting our Very God because there is nothing that will not bow down to Him in the end. There is no other. All others are either figments of peoples desire for a supporting god or false gods which will themselves bow down before God on His return. I am glad that I have been introduced to God and that He is willing to allow me to join Him in heaven just because He already loved me first!

Points to Ponder:
Who or what would you bow or curtsey to?

How much do you know about God, Christ and the Holy Spirit?