By Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 44:24-28, Isaiah 45:1-25, Isaiah 46:1-13, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 Peter 1:10-12
On any given day, you can find me juggling a career, kids, a home, meals, exercise, and relationships. Oh, how I love my ability to do it all! I worship my productivity and to-do list as if it will save me from dropping any of my responsibilities. Until, inevitably, I am woken from my delusional state of control with real life—which if it is anything like yours, isn’t all that put together.
Sure, I can double check my lists, but I still forget to follow up with a friend, pray over my husband throughout the day, act patiently with my children, or meet all my deadlines. I feel at a loss for how to make my life easier, better, and more sustainable. I tackle my problems with color-coded calendars in hopes that nothing will fall apart.
In Isaiah 44, we read about the ignorance of those who craft their own gods and worship their own constructed power. One craftsman in particular “grows hungry and his strength fails” (Isaiah 44:12) while trying to shape iron. The other put his entire worship into the fire he built, hoping it would save him, but his mind was deceived. We can get so caught up in course correcting our problems that we begin to think we are the ones in control. We are the ones who can save ourselves.
We find ourselves worn out trying to save our own little kingdoms from collapsing. We are anxious when even something small doesn’t go as planned. We get puffed with pride thinking we know it all and can do it all. But it only takes one small thing to remind us how little power we have outside of the power of Jesus.
When I’ve finally exhausted all my options, exposed and vulnerable, I confess to God that I let myself be deceived and I need Him. I can turn to God and be saved from my sin (Isaiah 45:22).
For there is no one like our God. He never finds Himself too weak to help us. Nothing is outside of His control or might. The same promise to Israel is fulfilled in Jesus for us today: “Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated for all eternity” (v.17).
Now, I am freed from needing to have all things worked out for myself. In a world that wants us to build something of ourselves, I can rest in the saving power of Jesus. Unlike the failure of my own power, whatever I build alongside God will last forever. For it’s God’s power and salvation that sustain our walk, our plans, our days.
Written by Bailey Hurley
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