Pieces of Wood

Isaiah 44:15 It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

Sometimes we live life in contradiction. Other people often see the contradictions and may even point them out to us. But we just can’t hear their wisdom. We are blind to our own duplicity.

This happens in lots of areas in life. We talk about losing weight, but then still go to the restaurant and order the extra butter for the potato, or blooming onion appetizer. Or we buy all the equipment for a home gym, but allow it to collect dust. We say we want to read more Scripture and pray, but spend our time on Facebook or insta-pot (smile) watching cat videos. Our actions don’t match our words.

In the middle of three chapters of hope, the LORD is declaring who He is as creator and redeemer. He is the One who actually accomplishes things in this world. He is the God who demonstrates His reality by showing up! He puts action to His words.

And then Isaiah puts in the reality of idol worship. Idols are just human creations. And the funny reality is placed here for all to read and see. The same blacksmith who makes farm implements makes idols. The same metal is involved. The same skillful wielding of the sledgehammer. How can a hammered piece of metal actually help?

Or how about a wooden idol. People cut down the tree, cut it up and carve out the image, all the while they are warming themselves with the scraps of wood left over. How can wood that didn’t even qualify for kindling be able to answer prayers? This just doesn’t make sense, does it?

Now most of us don’t have idols in this sense in our lives. We experienced this first hand in both Japan and South Korea. Many places in the world idols play a much greater role than they do here in the States. They are part of the cultural landscape. Even in our modern times, superstitions are in full bloom.

But idols bring some sense of comfort and peace to those who make them objects of worship. If they didn’t do anything for the worshipper, then their use would have ended long ago. We call it the placebo affect.

So I was wondering what brings comfort and peace to Western peoples in our modern technological societies? And then I remember a man who would retreat to his garage and wash and wax his car every time he had a fight with his wife. By the way, he had a very clean and shiny car!

Or the woman who baked and ate as a way to escape the loneliness of a loveless marriage. Or the couple who have so much invested that if they stopped investing and saving now they could live off the income for over a hundred years, but they still feel insecure and save more. They never seem to have enough.

So to what do you run when you feel in danger and on shaky ground? I want to encourage you to run to the LORD. He is the only One who can provide what you truly need.