Me, Myself, and I

Isaiah 10:9-19

            

The info at the front of this book in my Bible said these verses were about “God actively using creation and history, and even the wrongs of man for his own glory” (ESV).  And they do point that out.  Vs. 16-17 say, 

“Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of a fire.  

The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and briers in one day” (ESV).  

These verses explicitly state that God will use His glory to bring these kings to their knees. 

These kings have done so many things out of their own glory and pride.  They think that they have done such great things and should be praised for it. 

“By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding” (vs.13). 

 It is by their own strength they boast of their accomplishments.  However, the prophet Daniel points out to King Nebuchadnezzar, 

“the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” 

(Daniel 4:25b, ESV).  

Isaiah also says,

 “[It is He] who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.  Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stump taken root in the earth, when he blows on them and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble” 

(Isaiah 40 23-24, ESV).  

Clearly, it is God who is truly in charge here.  Nothing happens that he has not orchestrated.  These kings can take credit for nothing.

Even their power has been given to them by God.  

“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1b).  

Those in authority have been given that authority by God.  God is the only one who can gift authority because he is the highest authority.

Apply this to a normal person.  Is God going to bring my “kingdom” to ruin because of my pride?  Maybe.  What little “kingdom” I really have.  It’s not about how large my territory is or my sphere of influence.  The focus here, is on the pride.  Thinking, I am doing all these cool things and I have done such a great job.  The reality of the situation is that I have really done nothing worth boasting about; God is the one who actually does the work.  I just think I am doing so well land trying so hard. 

Honestly, in reality, what I am doing is running on a treadmill.  I’m not really going anywhere or accomplishing anything; it’s all in my head.  When I run on a treadmill, I don’t travel anywhere.  I don’t make any physical progress.  That is what I do when I try, when I do.  I go nowhere. My efforts are completely in vain.  There isn’t a simpler way to put it: God does all the work, my effort is not necessary for Him to accomplish his goals.  Actually, my effort tends to get in the way.  Just imagine if I would step to the side and stop trying so hard.  How much less stressful would my life be?  

How much more of God’s glory would be revealed?