Category: Devotional Thoughts

Isaiah 10–Who Deserves the Credit?

But can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it?
Is the saw greater than the person who saws?
Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it?
Can a wooden cane walk by itself?
–Isaiah 10:15

My father’s basement is full of tools. Some, like the hammer, are very simple and can be used for multiple tasks. Others are quite complex, designed for a highly specialized purpose. One thing is for sure—I’ve never heard any of these tools boast about the work they have done. No hammer has ever bragged about the number of nails it has driven into their mark. No saw has ever boasted of the precision cut it made. The idea, of course, is absurd.

God uses the above analogy to warn Assyria (an ancient nation) of their arrogance. All of their military conquests, He warned, happened only because He had allowed it.

Hopefully none of us have ever been guilty of the Assyrian’s arrogance. Regardless, we can be guilty of taking credit when only God Himself deserves the glory for “our” accomplishments.

Consider your gifts, talents and accomplishments. Do they really belong to you? Who blessed you with your abilities? I think you know the answer.

No matter how simple or exquisite, a tool is worthless in and of itself. In much the same way, we are simply tools in the Master’s hands. We have nothing that God has not given to us. Let’s be careful to give God the glory for all of our accomplishments, no matter how great or small.

What’s In Your Suitcase?

I am going through the annual process of packing for my trip to the States. Sometimes this can be challenging. The reason is simple: I have plenty of “stuff,” but not much of it will fit in a suitcase. Almost all of my belongings are left here, and only a few important items can come with me.

There is a spiritual analogy in this experience. According to the Bible, this life is temporary, so we should think of it as preparation for eternity. When we die, we leave everything behind. Even your most precious earthly possessions have no eternal value. Only a few things will “fit” in our “eternal suitcase.”

All we can take into eternity is our relationship with God and our service to Him. If we are not careful, we will spend all of our time on things which really do not matter. Jesus warned about this approach to life:

Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

–Luke 12:16-21

Rick Warren said it this way:

“When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will live differently. You will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.”
–Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life

How much of your life are you spending on eternal things? What’s in your suitcase?