July 14th

Another thing I like about today's reading is found in Isaiah 44.  The idea that God puts forward that nobody stops to think about how stupid it is to hold on to the belief that this block of wood can save them really reminds me of how so many people hang on to the belief that this whole universe just happened on its own and sprang from pure chance and nothingness.  How completely stupid.   How can you look at the complexity of life of this earth and still hold fast to the idea that there can be no God.  Nonsence....

¹⁶ Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
   over it he prepares his meal,
   he roasts his meat and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
   “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”
¹⁷ From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
   he bows down to it and worships.
He prays to it and says,
   “Save me! You are my god!”
¹⁸ They know nothing, they understand nothing;
   their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,
   and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
¹⁹ No one stops to think,
   no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel;
   I even baked bread over its coals,
   I roasted meat and I ate.
Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?
   Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” ²⁰ Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;
   he cannot save himself, or say,
   “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

 ²¹ “Remember these things, Jacob,
   for you, Israel, are my servant.