It’s TIME to CHANGE our ATTITUDE from PRIDE to PRAISE
July 19
Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 10-12
It’s TIME to CHANGE our ATTITUDE from PRIDE to PRAISE
"Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws
with it? As if a rod could wield
itself against those who lift it up or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!" (Isaiah
10:15)
In chapter 10:5–11,
prophet Isaiah is pronouncing God’s strong displeasure with Assyria, the
heathen country He had chosen as a tool of judgment against His own people
Israel for her multiplied sins. Having announced the coming of an enemy who
would ravage Israel, God then identified that nation and said He would judge
her for her sin as well. Though Assyria was “the
rod of (God’s) anger” (v. 5), she was still held accountable by God for her
actions. Though God sent Assyria to loot Judah, the Assyrians went beyond what
God had permitted. Their king Sennacherib stepped over the line when he raised
his hand even against the God of Judah.
The role of
Assyria was only that of an instrument of punishment in God’s Hand – an
instrument like an axe, saw, rod and staff (v. 15). However, due to Assyria’s
pride God’s pronounced judgment on her: "I
will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the
glory of his haughty looks" (v. 12). God said He would punish Assyria
for her pride by sending “a wasting
disease” on her soldiers (v. 18). This occurred in 701 B.C. when
Sennacherib was attacking Judah and “the angel of the Lord” put to death
185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight (see Isaiah 37:36–37).
It is time to change
our attitude from pride to humility, which will happen only when we realize who
we truly are – just instruments in the Hands of the Almighty God. When we are humble before God then our
vision will be clarified as we
realize how much we depend on God daily in our lives! This was what was
prophesied by Isaiah concerning the returning remnant of Israel: "And it shall come to pass in that day
that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob,
will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth"
(Isaiah 10:20). Our dependence on God will ultimately lead to our praising God for
becoming our salvation, our strength and our song. This is what God ultimately wants from us every day!
And in that day you will say: "O Lord, I will praise You...behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.” Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: "Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth." (Isaiah 12:1-5)
