Passage Read: Isaiah 31-34
Meditation Verses: 31:1-3
Thought
Even God's people, especially God's people, when they look to men--princes, kings, mighty men, wise men--but not to the Lord, why would they do that? Why would they think of the help of men before they think of the help of God? Men are but flesh, and God can make the helper stumble; it's so easy for Him! Men are nothing before the Lord, though they can seem pretty impressive, comparing one against another. God's people should look to God first in time of need. Yes, it might mean they need to repent of some evil they've done or some good they've failed to do. That's it! That's the reason even those who are called by the Lord's name, who claim to believe and worship the Lord turn to men before the Lord, because turning to the Lord may uncover some sin that they don't want to give up. Men only ask for money or a favor, but they don't ask us to change our ways. Men are easy to deal with; God has expectations for our lives and behavior. Men who may take the rule over us, even a harsh rule, still don't interfere with our inner lives, only our external circumstances. Men may demand much from us in return for their help, but we can still hate them, take their help and complain against them in secret.
Application
It is foolish of me to prefer the help of men, who are not usually thinking of what is truly good and right and best for me, but for them. Though they might be able to get me out of a tight spot here and there, they do not often really care for what is best for me. What is truly best for me is to know the Lord, humble myself before Him and conform myself to His likeness. He is always thinking of what is best for me, even though much of what He desires for me may take painful and difficult retraining. He does call me to die in order to live for Him. He wants everything from me, but He promises an eternity of goodness and righteousness--if I'm willing to live in such conditions. If I'm not willing to live in goodness and righteousness, then whatever changes I make to try to please the Lord will chafe, and I'll grow embittered against Him. If I really hate goodness and righteousness, I won't like eternity with God. So either I need to change what I delight in or I need to admit I'd rather go to hell for eternity than submit to Jesus Christ. Is it really worth it to insist on my way? Is it really so bad to accept Jesus as Lord and God, and learn to love His ways? What does that reveal about me if I really can't accept and adopt the holiness and righteousness of God? The help of man, in the end, is worthless. The help of God, with its inherent call to righteousness, is worth all it may seem to cost me, because I can only win in the end.