Start with Creator over What I Create

HIGHLIGHT: Isaiah 17:7-8 -

7In that day people will look to their Maker

and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.

8 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.

EXPLAIN: Isaiah is speaking during the reign of King Hezekiah. During this section there are many warnings and prophecies against different cities, nations and areas of that world in that time.

In this chapter, Isaiah is warning Damascus and King Hezzekiah about the impending doom that is on the horizon. Damascus has already seen people carried away into exile. That trend will continue.

In that day, the prophet says, people will look to their Maker and the God of Israel. When all things are breaking loose, and all the things that have held our trust are not producing, the people (Isaiah said) would look to God. He goes on to say that they would have no regard for the Asherah poles and incense altars their hands made.

The Asherah poles were trees that represented the "queen of heaven" in Assyria and the surrounding regions. They were made up gods that had no power or ability. Isaiah actually puts them in the same category when he mentions the incense altars as things their fingers had made.

APPLY: There are many things that we tend to put our faith in: people, finances, jobs, possessions, reputations, health and more. We tend to think that if I can date the right person...have the right house and car...gain the job promotion to get that position...have people listen to us...or even have the right look and body style, that all will be better. We are asking a lot of things that don't have a great track record.

How many have dated the person they wanted only to have that relationship end with mental anguish? How many have bought the new car, only to enjoy the new car smell until it a shinier version came along? How many of us have done everything we could to help our kids make the right travel team only to see them lose interest in the sport or not get the next call? There are so many things we put our trust in, believing "it" will be the "IT" we've been looking for, hoping for and even praying for.

There is that last ditch, however, only because we tend to make it the last ditch. God. The One who created, provides for and lavishes us with His love.The One who created us with purpose and wakes us up each morning with breath and new mercies. God is the One our hearts desire. There is a God shaped hole in our hearts that will make us whole when we allow Him to enter and restore us.

What would happen, however, if we didn't make God our last ditch possibility? What would happen if instead of looking to someone to fill us we looked toward our Maker? People will unintentionally, and at times maybe even intentionally, let us down. God is faithful to always lift us up.

What if we didn't seek prestige through a position...honor through our bank accounts...or even accolades through our acquisitions? What if instead we allowed God to define us and become our identity? What if we started with turning our eyes to the Holy One - the One who is so different, that He cares for us not for what we give but because of who He is?

RESPONSE: God, there are so many things that vie for my attention, and that promise an identity that I think I want. However, Lord, may I never lose sight that you have never left me, never failed me and never will leave me. Help me to start with my eyes on you each day and allow you to direct me through the days ahead.