God begins by stating He exists.  He was there before anything else and he will be there after everything else.  In an ever -changing world of shifting sand we all need a Rock to stand on.  Jesus is our Rock. (1 Cor 10:4).

God speaks to us today in the same way that he spoke to His people in exile encouraging us to turn away from useless idols that will ultimately fail us and wait patiently for what the Holy One of Israel, the Rock can do for us. (Deut 32:31, 2 Sam 22:47, Is 51:2 Is 60:16).

In verse 7 God challenges other people and their Gods to foretell what is going to happen and then he goes on to remind His people that they are His witnesses, it is up to God’s people (us) to let the nations know that he is the One true God and Saviour. (John 14:6, Is 43:12, Matt 10:18, Luke 24:28, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:32, Acts 10:39-41).

In v.9-20 satire and sarcasm are used to make a point about idol worship and foolish idolatry.  “No one stops to think ….. Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” In the world at that time people bowed down and worshipped Gods made by their own hands.  However, the tiny nation of Israel had the One True God, and their job was to be witnesses to the nations helping to open the eyes of the blind.  

In v.21-28 God assures Israel of His love, forgiveness, and redemption promising freedom and their return to Jerusalem.  These assurances apply to us today. Joy!

In today’s world, God has been shut out of schools, homes, government and institutions. The idea of the existence of God is scoffed at and many believe that this earthly life is all there is. We see growth in the worship of wealth, secular education, science, sex, beauty, power and the belief in self actualisation. In many countries Christians are persecuted and seen as enemies of the state but as children of God we know that God is writing our history. Our job is to continue to shine in the darkness, speaking and shining light on the truth.  We are to be, the light/lamp that draws others out of darkness and into the light. As Christians we are called not only to walk in the light but to be the light for others enabling them to find their way home.(Gen 1:4, Ex 10:23, 2 Sam 22:29, Is 42:6, Is 49:6, Math 5:14-16,)

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Lord, thank you that You are our Rock and the light of the world.  Help us shine for others.