Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green , and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
These past couple of days, in both my personal devotion time and our breakfast bible time, a theme has been recurring. Trust. Confidence. Reliance. No coincidence that next week, our church begins a series in 1 John (which I am also already studying!) on Absolute Confidence. Do you think God is trying to say something?
Between Google, endless blogs and people writing on every topic imaginable, it is very easy to find our “answers” without ever coming before the Lord. And with our busy schedules, running from one thing to the next, this makes it convenient, killing 2 birds with one stone, so to speak.
But the Bible warns us of this kind of thing. Jeremiah says that those who trust in man and flesh are cursed; Isaiah says that the LORD will stretch out his hand against the helper and the helped and they will both stumble, fall and perish (Isaiah 31:3).
While doing all of these things isn’t necessarily wrong, it is the priority we place upon them OVER God’s word and our faith in him that is drawing us away in our relationship and trust.
1 Corinthians 1:19-20 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Man’s wisdom can have a very good impact on our lives. I am so thankful for our Pastor and his messages every Sunday – I am constantly convicted and challenged. I love our small group and how people share and hold each other accountable through it. My husband is a wealth of wisdom and I am always encouraged and led deeper by him.
Where the problem lies is in if that is all we get. We cannot have a deep, meaningful, submissive relationship with God if we do not seek him and his wisdom above everything else. If we are seeking answers through philosophy, psychology, even psychiatry – we won’t get them. All the hints and tips and tricks on how to deal with things/issues/ SIN! in our lives – nothing will work because you need to seek GOD, his wisdom, his power, his might and strength are enough for every situation you may face. Seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
So today, I am praying this: that I will be discerning in reading and searching God’s word – when I come up against a struggle with schoolwork that I would have discernment in how to minister to my children, to encourage them and teach them the right response, rather than running to the computer to tweet about it or find someone who may have an answer; when I am frustrated with people and want to “fix” them that I would bring them before the throne of God and leave them in his perfect strength; that I would have grace and love to respond to others around me when I want to explode.
Those who put their trust and hope in the LORD will be called blessed. Every moment I need to go in prayer before the throne of God, search his word for wisdom, make sure my heart is right before him – THEN I will receive the answer I seek!
