The people of Israel were a mess. They had forgotten their true
love and raced toward things made by man and bowed down to them. Yet God is patient,
kind, and merciful. He wants them to come back to Him because He has called
them by name. They belong to Him. He reminds them of what He has done for them
and who He is. There is no one like Him.
He challenges the idolaters to appear in defense of their idols.
They all needed to gather and proclaim what things they have done. The miracles they
have performed and the hearts they have changed. If these idols are their “savior”,
then let them speak and proclaim their glory.
But they can’t.
These are dead gods. The people loved them. These gods were
their delight, joy, and praise because they consumed their thoughts and
actions. They became like them.
These gods can’t save out of temporal trouble or save them
from everlasting salvation.
Only one can do this. Only one can save. Only one can draw us to Himself.
Only one can do this. Only one can save. Only one can draw us to Himself.
That is the Lord. And He makes His case in such a way that
you can’t help but stand in awe and worship.
“I, I am the LORD, and
besides me there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:11
The only one that can save us is Christ. He is living. And
we as His witnesses know of the power of His grace, the sweetness of His words
that comfort us, the discipline of His sword that makes us more like Him, the
kind care of His providence, the truth of His promises, and the love of His Son
that He would send Him to earth to save us from the vice grip of sin.
However, we can point our fingers at the people of Israel
and wonder how they could love something made of wood or gold. We need to
examine our own hearts and see the idols pressed upon our hearts: worry, fear,
jealousy, anger, discontent, pride, bitterness. We can so easily become like
them and slowly turn away from our first love.
May we ask the Lord to search our hearts and remove the
idols that have captured our hearts. May we love Him more today than yesterday so
we can give an account of what He has done in our lives, so we can lead others
to know and believe His power, truth, and love.
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