Isreal Am I

During my recent studies in the book of Isaiah
I find myself shaking my head and chuckling at many of the choices that nation made.
Continually they choose to replace the almighty God with a graven image.
Many times, the temple would be cleansed by a king,
still images would linger, and soon idol worship would begin anew.
God points out in Isaiah 44:15-16 the ridiculous nature of idols

[It is man's fuel for burning;

Some of it he takes and warms himself,

But he also fashions a god and worships it;

he makes an idol and bows down to it. 

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."]

My BSF speaker 

says when we try and replace God with another thing to worship,
the replacement is always absurd

This passage in Isaiah makes it abundantly clear the idiotic thinking behind a graven image.
In the comfort of my modern padded chair.
I can begin to feel at ease with my view of the almighty God.
Mentally, I recline and feel as though all is right with my little world.
"Ahh Silly Israel" I say.
Then, strife befalls me, choices must be made and pain is felt.
Then, I place my head in my hands, trying to find the answers.
"Think brain think" is my cry.
The situation passes and in the light of the next day.
I might pick up the Bible I had left on the nightstand.
As I read, thoughts descend.... a slight tickle in the back of my mind.... the sharp spike of knowledge.

I

Am

Israel!

In modern times, we might not replace the almighty God with a tangible graven image.
We replace him with our time.
Time when we could be with our savior, we choose a computer or a book

We replace him with our logical minds.
When troubles happen we think, think, think to solve it.
Instead of using reason, that is the time we most need to go to him and say
"I can't reason this out and I can't think"
The mind is such an easy graven image to have. We carry it everywhere.

We replace him with our relationships
Maybe we find comfort in the love of our children, spouse or dear friends.

Anything we place as a higher value before the Lord is an idol... anything.

There is hope. ( I love hope)
With the creation of the new covenant,
one made by the shedding of Christ's blood we have access to the Father.
Unlike the first covenant which was the Law and was all about outward signs. 
(also we as Gentiles, could not access anything)
This new covenant is a heart change covenant.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 clearly tells us the nature of the new covenant made with *Israel.

 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
   after that time,” declares the LORD.
“I will put my law in their minds
   and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
   and they will be my people.
  No longer will they teach their neighbor,
   or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’
because they will all know me,
   from the least of them to the greatest,”
            declares the LORD.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
   and will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 7:26 tells us that Christ sealed that covenant

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Romans 2:7-11 tells us that we as Gentiles are included in this covenant

*To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;  but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For God does not show favoritism. 

So, in a nutshell
though, I continually  falter, though I continually struggle
Christ continues to write his words on my heart. 

I praise God for his perseverance in seeing me through, though  like Israel am I.

*Footnote: The church has not replaced Israel, God's covenant with them is still in place


*Footnote: In using this verse, I am not trying to show works as being a part of salvation .
Simply illustrating the fact that all men are now included in being able to access the Father and salvation.