“And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”” (Isaiah 44:17, ESV)
When you ask an atheist what an idol is, the person may point to a totem pole or a statue of a god on a stand. If you ask a Christian what an idol is, he or she may respond with the same type of answer. Most people, even Christians, see idols as inanimate statues of gods one might view in a museum display or in a Hindu temple. However, there are many more types of idols. In fact, the most common idols are not displayed in a temple or on an altar. They are not even statues. I believe the most common idols today are investments, possessions, or money. These are what most people “worship” in the modern world.
The scripture for today comes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 44 is all about idols. Isaiah 44: 6 includes the introduction, “This is what the Lord says….”. The words that follow in that chapter are a complete renunciation of idolatry at the time of the prophet Isaiah. The Israelites had fallen into various forms of idol worship.
Isaiah 44 begins with the explanation of how the statue of a traditional ancient idol was made. Isaiah 44:12, for example, explains how a blacksmith forms metals in a refining fire and then hammers the metal into the shape of a godlike creature. He thus forms an idol out of metal. Isaiah 44:13 mentions how an ancient carpenter would do a similar thing to construct an idol made from wood. God told the prophet Isaiah that these statues, these idols, were “nothing”. They had no power and were “worthless” (Isaiah 44:9). In response to all the idolatry, God had a few simple words for the Israelites at the time, “Return to ME!” (Isaiah 44:22).
In these verses of Isaiah 44, an idol was viewed in the likeness or form of a god, as seen by human eyes. Some ancient idols exhibited a man, a mythical beast, or a cherished object of adoration. However, an “idol” really is anything that is worshipped outside of the living God. It could be a statue. It could be a relic. It could be a person. It could be a building. However, an idol could be much different from the typical. It could be money, fame, power, rare metals, rare objects, famous people, or ornate edifices. Christians may even make an idol out of a cross, a rosary, a church building, a cherished pastor, or a family Bible. An idol is anything that you “worship” or value supremely apart from Almighty God.
In the scripture for today from Isaiah 44:17, the idol is what the “worshippers” look to for salvation (notice the words, “Deliver me!” in the scripture!). An idol is anything, apart from God, that people believe can “deliver” them, “save” them. That becomes their god. I have met many people who prayed for doctors to save them. I’ve met politicians who promoted their party or their ideas as able to save a nation or a group. In desperation, I’ve known Christians who prayed for a pastor to save their church, as if God wasn’t the one to do so! I’ve even known lifelong Christians who would rather throw money at a church problem than solve the situation with prayer and a recommitment to God! I’ve known Christians who “idolized” their pastor, their church building, their investments, their endowment, their denomination, and so much more. But all too often, Christians today have become very worldly. They turn to money to fix a situation. When something goes wrong in the church, they throw money at the problem. In all reality, isn’t this a form of money-worship? Isn’t this just another form of idolatry?
In Strength for Today, John MacArthur explains modern idolatry this way:
“Idolatry is more than worshiping some inanimate object; it is having an unworthy conception of God.
Western society, with all its culture and scientific knowledge, is in the same satanic trap that governs the life of an aborigine bowing down to a rock. We all have our gods. Many worship the god of materialism—getting more stuff is their highest pursuit. Others worship the gods of sex or entertainment. Of course, behind all of this is the worship of self.
However, the essence of idolatry is possessing thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him. It may be creating a god, but it also may be making the true God into something He isn’t, or thinking something about God that is untrue.
God said to the wicked in Psalm 50:21, “You thought that I was just like you.” That’s precisely what some have imagined about God. They have portrayed God after their own sinful mental image of Him. Careless Christians can do this also.”
When things go wrong in your life, ultimately rely on God, not anyone or anything else. When seeking wisdom, do not rely on worldly god-like substitutes like human philosophies or political ideologies or even your flawed reasoning. They all pale in their power before Almighty God. Like statues of idols are cheap and meaningless substitutes for God, worldly things will not heal you or bring peace to your soul.
Forty years ago, I was still learning a lot about what it meant to be faithful. I looked up to several mentors. I studied my Bible. I went to worship regularly. I had a strong relationship with Christ. Despite all this, worldly concepts and ideals would often be proposed by well-meaning Christians as good answers to life’s questions. Sometimes, these Christians were practicing idolatry without even knowing it.
I remember visiting a woman who professed her love of God. She went to church weekly, was generous and gracious. During a difficult time in my life, I asked her what might help when the pressures threatened to overwhelm me. Her response shocked me. She said, “When life gets hectic, I like a bit of retail therapy. It makes me feel better. It eases the soul.” Never having heard of “retail therapy”, I asked her what this was. She responded, “Oh, it’s just a modern thing. It means I go shopping and buy what I like. For some reason, buying a new dress or a piece of new furniture puts me in a better mood. It makes me feel better.” This woman was using “retail therapy” to soothe her soul and bring her peace. It was a materialistic replacement for God’s grace.
Those who practice “retail therapy” find out sooner or later that idols can’t replace God. Buying something you like to ease your soul will not bring lasting healing or relief. The cost of “retail therapy” alone will come back to haunt you in credit card bills. Also, how long until the shine of that new gadget wears off?
There is no substitute for God. There is no need to look for answers, healing, peace, or providence in any other place than in the presence of Christ.
Do you rely on your money to keep you safe? When it comes to COVID-19, do you place your trust in the CDC, in a vaccine, or in God’s hand? When it comes to your future, will your trust funds and retirement funds or your savings or investments ultimately save you? How much do you really trust God in Christ? Where do you go to find “answers to all your problems”? Is it to God? Is it to Google? Is it to your political friends? Is it to a cherished author? Is it to your checkbook? Where is it?
The scripture for today comes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 44 is all about idols. Isaiah 44: 6 includes the introduction, “This is what the Lord says….”. The words that follow in that chapter are a complete renunciation of idolatry at the time of the prophet Isaiah. The Israelites had fallen into various forms of idol worship.
Isaiah 44 begins with the explanation of how the statue of a traditional ancient idol was made. Isaiah 44:12, for example, explains how a blacksmith forms metals in a refining fire and then hammers the metal into the shape of a godlike creature. He thus forms an idol out of metal. Isaiah 44:13 mentions how an ancient carpenter would do a similar thing to construct an idol made from wood. God told the prophet Isaiah that these statues, these idols, were “nothing”. They had no power and were “worthless” (Isaiah 44:9). In response to all the idolatry, God had a few simple words for the Israelites at the time, “Return to ME!” (Isaiah 44:22).
In these verses of Isaiah 44, an idol was viewed in the likeness or form of a god, as seen by human eyes. Some ancient idols exhibited a man, a mythical beast, or a cherished object of adoration. However, an “idol” really is anything that is worshipped outside of the living God. It could be a statue. It could be a relic. It could be a person. It could be a building. However, an idol could be much different from the typical. It could be money, fame, power, rare metals, rare objects, famous people, or ornate edifices. Christians may even make an idol out of a cross, a rosary, a church building, a cherished pastor, or a family Bible. An idol is anything that you “worship” or value supremely apart from Almighty God.
In the scripture for today from Isaiah 44:17, the idol is what the “worshippers” look to for salvation (notice the words, “Deliver me!” in the scripture!). An idol is anything, apart from God, that people believe can “deliver” them, “save” them. That becomes their god. I have met many people who prayed for doctors to save them. I’ve met politicians who promoted their party or their ideas as able to save a nation or a group. In desperation, I’ve known Christians who prayed for a pastor to save their church, as if God wasn’t the one to do so! I’ve even known lifelong Christians who would rather throw money at a church problem than solve the situation with prayer and a recommitment to God! I’ve known Christians who “idolized” their pastor, their church building, their investments, their endowment, their denomination, and so much more. But all too often, Christians today have become very worldly. They turn to money to fix a situation. When something goes wrong in the church, they throw money at the problem. In all reality, isn’t this a form of money-worship? Isn’t this just another form of idolatry?
In Strength for Today, John MacArthur explains modern idolatry this way:
“Idolatry is more than worshiping some inanimate object; it is having an unworthy conception of God.
Western society, with all its culture and scientific knowledge, is in the same satanic trap that governs the life of an aborigine bowing down to a rock. We all have our gods. Many worship the god of materialism—getting more stuff is their highest pursuit. Others worship the gods of sex or entertainment. Of course, behind all of this is the worship of self.
However, the essence of idolatry is possessing thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him. It may be creating a god, but it also may be making the true God into something He isn’t, or thinking something about God that is untrue.
God said to the wicked in Psalm 50:21, “You thought that I was just like you.” That’s precisely what some have imagined about God. They have portrayed God after their own sinful mental image of Him. Careless Christians can do this also.”
When things go wrong in your life, ultimately rely on God, not anyone or anything else. When seeking wisdom, do not rely on worldly god-like substitutes like human philosophies or political ideologies or even your flawed reasoning. They all pale in their power before Almighty God. Like statues of idols are cheap and meaningless substitutes for God, worldly things will not heal you or bring peace to your soul.
Forty years ago, I was still learning a lot about what it meant to be faithful. I looked up to several mentors. I studied my Bible. I went to worship regularly. I had a strong relationship with Christ. Despite all this, worldly concepts and ideals would often be proposed by well-meaning Christians as good answers to life’s questions. Sometimes, these Christians were practicing idolatry without even knowing it.
I remember visiting a woman who professed her love of God. She went to church weekly, was generous and gracious. During a difficult time in my life, I asked her what might help when the pressures threatened to overwhelm me. Her response shocked me. She said, “When life gets hectic, I like a bit of retail therapy. It makes me feel better. It eases the soul.” Never having heard of “retail therapy”, I asked her what this was. She responded, “Oh, it’s just a modern thing. It means I go shopping and buy what I like. For some reason, buying a new dress or a piece of new furniture puts me in a better mood. It makes me feel better.” This woman was using “retail therapy” to soothe her soul and bring her peace. It was a materialistic replacement for God’s grace.
Those who practice “retail therapy” find out sooner or later that idols can’t replace God. Buying something you like to ease your soul will not bring lasting healing or relief. The cost of “retail therapy” alone will come back to haunt you in credit card bills. Also, how long until the shine of that new gadget wears off?
There is no substitute for God. There is no need to look for answers, healing, peace, or providence in any other place than in the presence of Christ.
Do you rely on your money to keep you safe? When it comes to COVID-19, do you place your trust in the CDC, in a vaccine, or in God’s hand? When it comes to your future, will your trust funds and retirement funds or your savings or investments ultimately save you? How much do you really trust God in Christ? Where do you go to find “answers to all your problems”? Is it to God? Is it to Google? Is it to your political friends? Is it to a cherished author? Is it to your checkbook? Where is it?