6“This is what the LORD says–Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”
These are some bold statements in the middle of this section of Isaiah. Isaiah has been busting on the idols of his day. The idols are just man-made objects with no power. And since they are just man-made, why would anyone expect them to actually be able to do anything. In contrast to these idols is the LORD. He has intervened in their history, delivering them again and again. The idols have been able to do nothing. I hear the complaints against the Church today. If there is a god, why is there war, famine, etc. But the non-believers must answer the same questions. If man is on this upward evolution, why are there wars, famine, etc.? Where are all the atheist philanthropic organizations reaching out to the poor and dispossessed? The people reaching out and trying to solve these big problems are not the atheists or agnostics, but the believers. It is the Church that feeds the poor in this country and around the world. The Church has built hospitals and clinics, schools and fresh water wells. It is the non-believers who have stood by and done nothing. Their god has not had any positive effect on their lives. Jesus-followers are compelled to act by the internal change that has taken place. The LORD has worked in their lives, and they act. In Isaiah’s day this call to reality was not heard by those who were the first hearers. They failed to repent. Will we fail to hear God’s call to action? He has intervened in history. Will we ignore this and live our lives as if He were just a god made of wood and stone?
The Arnold Journey 