“For behold, the Lord God of hosts is going to
remove from Jerusalem and Jacob…” Isaiah 3:1
A list follows.
A list of things the people depended on.
To me it sounds like He’s stripping them of everything and turning
things upside down. “Capricious children
will rule over them.” (v4)
Why?
Sometimes God humbles his people by removing sources
of support, especially when we are not trusting in Him. We are susceptible to looking to other
people, other things for our support.
It’s easier to trust in our bank account balance than in daily provision
from the Lord. It’s easier to call a
friend than to pray to the Lord.
Some have called this process ‘a severe mercy.’ We
might be more familiar with the term ‘tough love.’ Sometimes the Lord has to
practice tough love with us. Sometimes
I’m depending on my street smarts to keep me safe, relying on my own wisdom to
handle conflict, depending on my husband to make me feel loved and trusting in my
financial smarts to guarantee we’re provided for in the future. None of those things are wrong in and of
themselves. It is wise of me to teach my daughter some safety principles as she
begins driving more on her own. It is obedient for my husband to do things daily to show his love for
me. It is right to strive to be good stewards of the
resources God has given and to plan for the future.
But things happen.
The economy in this country could fall apart due to war, computer
hackers or irresponsible leadership – all things VERY beyond my control. When a crisis happens, my response reveals
what I’m really trusting in. If I fall
apart when the economy falls apart, my confidence has been in my bank account
not in my Lord.
The key is for me to insure that I am not relying on
these other supports INSTEAD OF relying on the Lord. What am I looking to for protection and safety?
What am I relying on and depending on? What am I proud of? What am I trusting
in?
If I answer honestly from my heart, does the Lord
make the list?
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