“I have a right to believe whatever I want!” This is quite a popular sentiment in America today, but I hope we can all agree that there are some reasonable limits on such freedom. After all, it is possible to believe something that is not, in fact, true – and no one should want to do that. I mean, who wants to go through life believing that the moon is made of green cheese?

Now, it is obvious that the sort of idolatry Isaiah describes is futile – how could a carved block of wood actually help anyone (v. 20)? But in a similar vein, does it really make sense to put our faith in people or relationships that cannot ultimately satisfy us? Should we really look to drugs or sex or other fleeting kinds of stimulation to give our lives significance and meaning?

No, the fact is that there is really only One True God, so He is the only One worthy of our worship and praise. But the good news is that this God also promises to save all those who come to Him and trust Him, no matter their ancestry or condition (v. 22). The good news is that this God is truly righteous, so He always does what is best (vv. 21, 24). The good news is that this God is the only source of true strength, the only One Who can protect us from harm and enable us to triumph over all our difficulties (v. 24).

So, sure, you can believe whatever you want. You can worship whatever you want. But doesn’t it make more sense to believe the truth? Doesn’t it make more sense to bow the knee to the only God Who is real? After all, He’s the only one who can save you. So why not trust Him?

Isaiah 45:20-25 (NAS)

20 “Gather yourselves and come; Draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; They have no knowledge, Who carry about their wooden idol, And pray to a god who cannot save.
21 “Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me.
22 “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
23 “I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.
24 “They will say of Me, ‘Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.’ Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame.
25 “In the LORD all the offspring of Israel Will be justified, and will glory.”