God Is There For You
Scripture – Isaiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.
Focus
We often look to things other than God for help. Perhaps we even rely on ourselves and our abilities, as if we could flourish on our own. But life has a way of reminding us how much we need God. How amazing it is that when we recognize our need for God, God is there for us.
Devotion
Isaiah 17 looks ahead to the judgment of Damascus, including the northern kingdom of Israel. Because of Israel’s unfaithfulness, “the glory of Jacob will fade” (17:4). The land will be devastated and only a few people will remain (17:5-6). Finally, after experiencing so much suffering, the people of God will no longer “look to their altars, the work of their hands” (17:8). They will not turn their eyes to “gods” made of human hands. Instead, “In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel” (17:7).
Have you ever experienced something like this? You’ve made choices in your life that seemed to advance your own cause. You’ve trusted in what you have done, in your plans, in your cleverness, in your own hard work. For a while, all seems well, but then the results of your actions begin to crash upon you like waves during a storm. As you are battered, you realize the folly of your ways. Then, and only then, do you turn your eyes to God, looking for help from the only one who can save you. Is this story at all familiar to you?
It is to me. Though I have never intentionally worshipped handmade gods, I have trusted in my own wisdom or abilities. I have turned my eyes away from the Lord, putting my confidence in that which I can contrive. Yes, it is good for me to use the gifts and talents God has given me. But my ultimate trust should be in the Lord, not in his gifts, and surely not in myself. When I acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all things, including me, then I am ready to use what God has entrusted to me with faithfulness and humility.
How amazing that God continues to pursue us even when we turn our eyes away from him! Out of need or even in desperation, we look and God is there for us. When we call out, God hears. When we cry out for mercy, God reveals himself to us as a God who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). God is, in the language of Isaiah, God our “Savior” (Isaiah 17:10). The more we experience God’s goodness to us, the more we will remember to look to God for vision, wisdom, strength, and help.
Reflect
Have you ever played out this story in your own life? When?
What finally led you to look to your Creator, rather than yourself or some other “savior”?
What happened when you turned to the Lord for help?
Act
Are you relying on yourself today concerning something for which you need God’s help? If so, turn to the Lord. Tell God how much you need his help.
Pray
Gracious God, when I read this chapter I think of the times I’ve charged out to seek my own ways, leaving you in the dust. For a while all seems fine, but then reality catches up with me and I am miserable. So I turn to you “just as I am, without one plea.” And you are there for me! You haven’t abandoned me, though I abandoned you. Your grace is plentiful; your mercy rich.
Yes, sometimes cleaning up the mess of my sinful choices isn’t pleasant. But your presence and power make all the difference in the world. How I thank you for your gracious salvation!
But, Lord, what I wish is that I would look to you, not after the mess, but before it, so that I might walk in your ways each and every day. Let this be so, even today! Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Best of Daily Reflections: Why Forgive Someone Who Wronged You? Part 2
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Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...