A Block Of Wood (Isaiah 44:19)


 

 

Tuesday, 9 December, 2025


Psalms 76; 82

Isaiah 44:6-23

2 Thessalonians 1


A Block Of Wood (Isaiah 44:19)


No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”


How do we recognise the idols in our lives? How do we sniff them out so that we may destroy them, and enter into the final part of today’s first lesson, rejoicing in the Lord who has done it?


Perhaps one way might be to remember the peace from yesterday. When we confess to the Lord and taste the goodness of his forgiveness; discover new work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification; rest in the joy that is the Lord who alone can make us right: whatever that sense of peace is, there is God.


But there are also other things that give us pleasant sensations. Particularly in the build up to Christmas, when we might be thinking about time off from regular duties, or looking forward to Santa Claus bringing that thing you’ve been looking at all year, or any number of things that are, perhaps, good on the surface, but only give surface-level joy.


If we find our thoughts dwelling too deeply and too often on those surface-level joys, perhaps that is a warning that potential idolatry is lurking in the background. They might not be idols yet; but there is nothing stopping the flesh lusting after them so heavily that we end up idolising them. And so, like the idol-maker who takes some of his wood and uses it to cook dinner, and takes the rest and turns it into something to worship, we ought to remember to keep everything in their good and proper place. Let our minds go where they may; but only rest in certain thoughts temporarily. Let us find our minds and hearts living in the Lord who saves.


What are you looking forward to the most this Christmas? Where is your peace in the Lord Jesus in that?


Holy and immortal Trinity, the one, true and living God, who has saved us from our sins and freed us from all fear: direct our hearts and minds towards you, that we may see the fleeting trinkets of this world as only passing gifts from above, and only ever rest in worshipping you.

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