Scripture: Isaiah 41: 8-10; 43:1-26; 44: 1-28; Romans 1: 21-25

Isaiah 41:8 But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, My friend-- 9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. 10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1 Now this is what the LORD says-- the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel-- "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine… 3a For I the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, … 4a Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and I love you, … 5a Do not fear, for I am with you; … 10 "You are My witnesses"-- this is the LORD's declaration-- "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. No god was formed before Me, and there will be none after Me. 11 I, I am the LORD, and there is no other Savior but Me. 12 I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed-- and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses"-- this is the LORD's declaration-- "and I am God. 13 Also, from today on I am He alone, and none can deliver from My hand. I act, and who can reverse it?"… 15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. 16 This is what the LORD says-- who makes a way in the sea, and a path through surging waters, 17 who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty one together (they lie down, they do not rise again; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick)-- 18 "Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. 19 Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert… 25 "It is I who sweep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more. 26a Take Me to court; let us argue our case together…

Isaiah 44:1 "And now listen, Jacob My servant, Israel whom I have chosen. 2a This is the word of the LORD your Maker who formed you from the womb; He will help you: Do not fear; … 3a For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; … 6 This is what the LORD, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me… 8 Do not be startled or afraid. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are my witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I do not know any. 9 All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure does not profit. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame. 10 Who makes a god or casts a metal image for no profit? 11 Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame, and the craftsmen are humans. They all will assemble and stand (in the day of judgement); they all will be startled and put to shame. 12 The ironworker labors over the coals, shapes the idol with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. Also he grows hungry and his strength fails; he doesn't drink water and is faint. 13 The woodworker stretches out a measuring line, he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it according to a human likeness, like a beautiful person, to dwell in a temple. 14 He cuts down cedars for his use, or he takes a cypress or an oak… He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. 15b He takes some of it and warms himself; also he kindles a fire and bakes bread; he even makes it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol from it and bows down to it. 16 He burns half of it in a fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. He warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm, I see the blaze." 17 He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it. He bows down to it and worships; He prays to it, "Save me, for you are my god." 18 Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for He (God) has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand. 19 No one reflects, no one has the perception or insight to say, "I burned half of it in the fire, I also baked bread on its coals, I roasted meat and ate. I will make something detestable with the rest of it, and I will bow down to a block of wood." 20b … His deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself, or say, "Isn't there a lie in my right hand?"

Romans 1:21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. 24a Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts… 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.

Isaiah 44:21 Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I formed you, you are My servant; Israel, you will never be forgotten by Me. 22 I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. 23 Rejoice, heavens, for the LORD has acted; shout, depths of the earth. Break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorifies Himself through Israel. 24 This is what the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb, says: I am the LORD, who made everything; who stretched out the heavens by Myself; who alone spread out the earth; 25 who destroys the omens of the false prophets and makes fools of diviners; who confounds the wise and makes their knowledge foolishness; 26 who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers; who says to Jerusalem, "She will be inhabited," and to the cities of Judah, "They will be rebuilt," and I will restore her ruins; 27 who says to the depths of the sea (The Red Sea/Sea of Reeds exodus)), "Be dry," and I will dry up your rivers (the Jordan River crossing); 28 who says to Cyrus, "My shepherd, he will fulfill all My pleasure" and says to Jerusalem, "She will be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Its foundation will be laid."