DEVOTION – DAY 468

Isaiah 46:4 “Only God Sustains Us”

Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will carry you.”

In Isaiah 46, the prophet Isaiah contrasted God with idols. In v6, idols were casted from precious metal, others were sculpted into large images that had to be carried around by beasts of burden (v1). These idols were useless and was a burden to the Israelites. None of the idols could save them from their troubles (v7).

But in vv3-4, Isaiah reminded the Israelites that God had upheld them since they were born. God will be with them until they grow old and die. God revealed Himself as their Creator – He made them. God revealed Himself as their Sustainer and God will carry them. This is in contrast to idols that required to be carried. In v9, God reminds the Israelites that “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”

Like the Israelites, many people need to be reminded. There are people who continue to worship idols made of metal, clay, or clay coated with gold-leaf or lacquer. There are people who worship idols of a different kind, idols called prosperity, business success, decadent lifestyles, status, even paper qualifications. There are people who think that these “idols” would give them the happiness and recognition that they want. But just as the Israelites found out centuries ago, these people will be disappointed for today’s idols are just as useless in giving people the joy to fill their hearts. 

Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Swedish DJ Avicii, Coco Lee, Leslie Cheung are just some of the people who thought they would find happiness in fame, wealth and status, but they found disappointment instead. These false idols in their lives did not give them meaning in their lives. Ultimately, they ended up taking their own lives. We contrast this with many people we know who may not be famous, rich or powerful but they have god in their lives. For these people that we know, God is sufficient to sustain them, and there is always food for them to eat. It may not be luxurious food but it is sufficient. They are thankful to God for carrying them through the many challenges in their lives. They continue to find peace and joy even in the midst of troubles. For them, life is worth living because they have the Living God by their side who never leaves them or desert them. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are our Sustainer, our Provider, our Creator and our Protector. Thank you for watching over us. Please help us to reject all idols and only worship you, the Living True God. We humbly pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Are there any “idols” that you may have inadvertently worshipped? Will you reject them and only worship God?
  2. Why are idols like fame, wealth, power and status disappointing for so many people? Discuss.
  3. How does the verses in Isaiah 46:4 offer you hope and assurance as you face your challenges? Share.
  4. How has God sustained and carried you in the past? Share.