"They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Isaiah 44:18-20
This is talking about idolatry, and how we make gods of a piece of tree and think that they have power. :) ... I think that, although it might be hard to relate to this particular example, that we still practice idolatry. We worship people... loved ones, or even just a boss, a politician, or a sports figure. ... They become the center of our attention, and everything we do is with them in mind. ... adoration, loyalty... all of these, but too often we put someone else before God. We can't go to church because of someone else... we can't read our scriptures because we are too occupied with the other. Maybe it isn't a person. Maybe it really is more like a tree... a car, a house, a place ... and all of these are cool things. I have favorites of my own. But the problem comes when we are consumed with that person or that thing above all else. When there is no room for other things in our lives. When we choose whatever it is over God. And God *is* there. And he is the only one who can save us from ourselves. :) Who can forgive us, give us another chance... who can cleanse us and save our souls. Today, let's take some time off from our personal obsessions and read our scriptures, pray to God... make sure we are putting the REAL God first in our lives... we don't lose anything by loving God. Let's not lose God by loving something else.
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Isaiah 44:18-20
This is talking about idolatry, and how we make gods of a piece of tree and think that they have power. :) ... I think that, although it might be hard to relate to this particular example, that we still practice idolatry. We worship people... loved ones, or even just a boss, a politician, or a sports figure. ... They become the center of our attention, and everything we do is with them in mind. ... adoration, loyalty... all of these, but too often we put someone else before God. We can't go to church because of someone else... we can't read our scriptures because we are too occupied with the other. Maybe it isn't a person. Maybe it really is more like a tree... a car, a house, a place ... and all of these are cool things. I have favorites of my own. But the problem comes when we are consumed with that person or that thing above all else. When there is no room for other things in our lives. When we choose whatever it is over God. And God *is* there. And he is the only one who can save us from ourselves. :) Who can forgive us, give us another chance... who can cleanse us and save our souls. Today, let's take some time off from our personal obsessions and read our scriptures, pray to God... make sure we are putting the REAL God first in our lives... we don't lose anything by loving God. Let's not lose God by loving something else.
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