Isaiah 44  At the beginning of Isaiah's writings the Lord said, "Come now, and let us reason together..."  and this chapter presents a very powerful argument for Israel.. and for us.. to believe and follow Him.  

God chose Israel.. established them as a nation.. declared them to be His people. He speaks to them and through them to us....  "Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you..  Do not fear.. " 

The God who will "pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground.."  is our God. He tells us..   "The Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me." and ".. Who is like Me?.. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none."

The Lord presents  the foolishness of trusting in any idols.   A man cuts down a tree. He uses part of it to start a fire, to keep warm.  He uses some of it to cook his food.  Then he uses the rest to form an idol and then worships it. "They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. And no on recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, 'I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals.. then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood.'  He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"

But, the One True God, who formed every one of us.. still offers to wipe out our transgressions.. to redeem us from the pit, to show us His glory.. "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, I the Lord, and the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone." This is our God!

What are the idols that people serve today? Nature? Wealth? Things? People?  Every idol...everything that is temporary.... is like that piece of wood.. ashes.. deception.. abominations.  God said, " I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images..." ( 42:8)

Let us listen to the Shepherd's voice and trust in God alone.  Let us know.. be fully convinced..  that Jesus is our Redeemer and that we must come to Him, lay down our lives, pick up our cross.. and follow Him. 

Father, we hear You speaking.. fill our hearts with Your Truth and lead us by Your Spirit. May Jesus Christ be our all in all. Hear our prayers of intercession for those who are lost.. even as You have promised to hear and answer our prayers... we pray for life and salvation for our brothers and sisters, in Jesus' name, amen.