Day 15 - There's Only One Way
- Pastor b.Side
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
I [am] the LORD, that [is] My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. - Isaiah 42:8
There is a common misunderstanding that many paths lead to God. This is not what the Bible teaches. Throughout history, people have created false religious practices that elevate human intellect and ability as if they are impressive or pleasing to God. He has warned about this issue since the beginning, so we must recognize why it’s offensive to Him.
“I [am] the LORD, that [is] My name…”
When we talk about God’s “name,” we’re referring to His nature, character, attributes, and even His eternal purposes and promises. The prophet Isaiah documented God’s own words when He said, “I am the LORD, that is My name.” God’s “name” is “LORD,” using the Hebrew title “YAHWEH.” His nature, character, attributes, and eternal purposes and promises are encapsulated in that title. Many things are worshiped as gods, but there is only one YAHWEH!
“My glory I will not give to another…”
The scriptures teach that God’s glory is freely available to witness, but He doesn’t manifest it through all things. God decided to reveal His glory in a specific way. He shows His glory through the work of His hands, not ours. God does not manifest His glory through human efforts. He will not receive praise corrupted by human ability, even if they intend to honor God.
“Nor My praise to carved images…”
This is a serious issue! The Bible teaches that the righteousness of God’s own people is like “filthy rags.” Compared to God, all people are unclean. We can’t do anything pleasing to Him by our natural efforts. God was angry when people made buildings, altars, and objects for religious purposes. God was clear when He instructed His people to refrain from carving, polishing, and beautifying stone and wood to make them aesthetically pleasing as objects of worship, even if it was intended to honor Him. God knows that we tend to exalt the works of people rather than His work. He knows we often worship His creation rather than Him as the Creator.
This is why God doesn’t share His glory. The manifestation of God’s glory comes exclusively through the work of His own hands, particularly as Jesus Christ. If we try to find God’s glory anywhere else, we won’t succeed. If we attempt to honor God through human efforts, even if those efforts seem spiritual, we provoke God to anger. He is not impressed by the things we’ve done to exalt Him or ourselves. God is already uniquely transcendent, revealing His glory in specific ways through Jesus. Anything else that is praised for any other reason is fake.
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, thank You for this clear instruction and warning. You are provoked to anger if we try to worship, praise, or honor You in our own ways. Protect us from rebelling against Your Word in these respects. Guard us against the various forms of idolatry, especially those disguised as religious and spiritual. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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