A married couple on the island of Madagascar... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest. He will take some of it and warm himself; yes, he kindles it and bakes bread; indeed he makes a god of it and worships it; he makes a carved image, and falls down to it.
Isaiah 44:14.15


A married couple on the island of Madagascar ordered a wooden statue to be made for their house god. On the appointed day they went to the woodcarver to fetch the image. But he hadn't even started the job.

They watched the artist fetch a large branch in the forest and start to carve it. From time to time he ate a hot meal with his clients. Finally the craftsman took the wooden remains and threw them into the fire under the pot.

The couple paid the bill and took their idol home. A short time later they were visited by a Christian. He read them a passage from the Bible - the very verses quoted above from Isaiah 44 that continue: "He burns half of it in the fire; with this half he eats meat; he roasts a roast, and is satisfied. He even warms himself and says, Ah! I am warm. ... And the rest of it he makes into a god, his carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, prays to it and says, Deliver me, for you are my god!"

Such a fitting description of their own experience amazed the woman. The message from the Bible convicted her; she gave up her dead gods and became a faithful Christian. It meant scorn and suffering for her, but one thing was clear: the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ takes precedence over the lies about idols. And that also applies to us today, whatever idols claim our time and attention.

Today's reading: Exodus 34:27-35 · Luke 15:20-32