I can do Nothing Successfully

Scripture: But when the Lord finishes all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for his arrogant acts and the proud look in his eyes.” For he said:
I have done this by my own strength
and wisdom, for I am clever.
I abolished the borders of nations
and plundered their treasures;
like a mighty warrior, I subjugated the inhabitants.
Isaiah 10:12-13

Observation: The Lord, after declaring and knowing that Assyria will wipe out the northern kingdom, declares judgment upon Assyria. That judgment is NOT because Assyria destroyed Israel, but because their king proudly declares his own strength and wisdom as the source of victory. God has given over Israel to punishment and chosen Assyria as the instrument of that punishment. Therefore, they should honor the Lord in their victory, and absolutely must not declare they succeed by their own merits.

Application: We watched the conclusion of The Bachelorette last night. It ended poorly with sorrow and heartbreak, as it almost always does. I was particularly drawn toward the conversations that were occurring. As people are supposed to be falling in love with each other, almost all of their statements were about ... themselves. They declared how strong they were, how much they deserved love and a good life, what they wanted, why they wanted it, how hurt they were, how they would endure, in what way they failed. It was all about what they were doing to manifest what they wanted in the manner they wanted it.

So of course it failed.

Trusting in oneself instead of in the Lord - and giving oneself credit for any success instead of thanking the Lord - is an ancient failure. It defines so much human behavior, and we all fall into this trap. And it is a trap for sure, a double-edged sword, for if one declares they are responsible for their own success, then their only options when failure comes is either to blame themself, or to blame others and likely create conflict.

I have fallen into this trap ... both sides of it. I still do sometimes, though I am at least aware of it. Furthermore, when my heart is right, I am keenly aware of the foundational truth of life. The Lord is my strength and my provider. All good things in my life come from him. When I surrender to the Lord and seek his will and wisdom, every outcome is better than it would have been with the alternative. I should never make my own decision about what to do in life.

I can do nothing successfully. The Lord can provide any success in my life he chooses. May I remember this every moment of every day.

Prayer: Lord, you are my provider. You are Yahweh Yireh. May I seek only your direction, instructions, wisdom, and purposes every day, and in every matter of my life. Amen.