Idolatry: Our Security Blanket (LD 34; Isaiah 44:6-20)

Reformed & Expository Preaching

Idolatry is not limited to literal, tangible idols but encompasses anything we trust in more than or alongside God. The catechism defines idolatry as anything that hinders our faith, including sorcery, superstitious rites, prayer to saints, and other creatures. Isaiah emphasizes that God’s uniqueness shows the absurdity of idolatry. In fact, we might be tempted to think that we are not that idolatrous because we still trust in God. This is why it is so important that the catechism reminds us that we can trust in something alongside God.

We need to remember that God creates man in his image. The problem with idolatry is that we want to make god in our image. So, we put ourselves in the place of God and fail to submit to God. We like to have a god who is somewhat fallen, a god less than perfect, a god who is pleased with us as we define what pleases him. We can think that in our own clever way, we can create a god that we can please, showing that we are just a little more elite than someone else. Or we can have this god protect us as we define his protection and power.

We do this because we do not want to bow down to the true God. If we bow to the true God, then we would have to submit to the true God. We would have to concede that we are not God. This is not easy for fallen creatures to do. We want to please the gods of our making, protect the god that we value, and see that we really can ultimately be gods because we create gods that bend to our will.

Isaiah highlights the absurdity of idolatry, showing how it leads to deception and a life of abomination. The solution lies in recognizing the true God’s power and promises. There is only one God who can make the radical promise of the Gospel. There is only one God who established HIs radical promise. You see, God does not just assert what he will do for his people, but he does it. He is the shield and defender who goes before his people. If man would come to his senses, he would see that the god he made was consumed by fire. This is the god who used to cook his meal. Now, after cooking with his god, there is less of that god because this man-made god does not endure. Man’s man-made god can be consumed. Isaiah begins and ends with the glorious call to see that our God redeems. Our God is not consumed by fire, but is the consuming fire. This is the God who pours out his Pentecost fire on his people, and empowers his people to service as he unites us to our savior. He seats us in the heavenly places.

God, our redeemer and Lord, shapes and molds us in His image. Let us live for His honor and glory.