Read Our Short Daily Devotional

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

TEXT: Isaiah 44:9-28

9. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

10. Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

11. Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

12. The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioned it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

13. The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and marketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

14. He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

15. Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

16. He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

17. And the residue thereof he marketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

18. They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

19. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

20. He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand?

21. Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

22. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

23. Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout. Ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

24. Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25. That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26. That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27. That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

28. That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

(King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: IDOLS ARE NOTHING

Idolatry is common in African culture but it cannot replace God Almighty. In Exodus 20:1-6, God commanded the Israelites not to worship any other god but Him. Unfortunately, many people run to idols that are made and crafted by man whom God Himself created.

The stupidity of idolatry is displayed as the prophet taunts the people about the fact that what they call a god is made of the same materials and tools created by the Almighty God (vs. 13-19). In fact, part of the wood from which the god is carved is also used as firewood.

What a shame! It is very absurd. This is because their eyes are plastered and blocked so that they can’t see. Still, many think that idols are something when they are nothing (vs. 20-23). They are helpless, can’t feed themselves and can’t remember anything.

QUESTION: Are you holding onto any idol?

PRAYER: Lord God, help me to serve only You and do not allow me have any idol that will take Your place in my life, in Jesus name, Amen.