I have a confession to make. I am a people-pleaser and perfectionist. I try hard not to make mistakes, so I will appear valuable in the eyes of others. This week, God allowed me to feel like mistakes overwhelmed me; I forgot an appointment, was rude to a waiter, and had writing errors on a document. I felt embarrassment and shame. I cringed inwardly when even good friends saw my imperfections until I read:
“This is the way; walk in it.’ Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”
Isaiah 30:21b-22 (NIV)
God spoke to His people while the Assyrians antagonized them. They had lost their joy and intimacy with God because they had fallen to godless idols. Though I may not have a shiny silver worldly item to bow down to and worship, I have inward idols that take more importance than honoring God.
Isaiah uses several visual images to help us see what life could be like if we place God above our idols, worldly goods, or inward struggles. He says if we throw out the value of perfectionism, or the wanting for more things, or, you name it, and place God above it, then He will make the sunlight shine seven times brighter in our lives (Is. 30:26). He will restore singing and music (Is 30:29). He will strike our enemies. At the same time, we play music of tambourines and harps (Is. 30:32). In other words, when we give up what’s more important than God, He restores us with a heart of celebration, replacing a heart of strife and unrest.
When we come to a place of hating our idol by agreeing to God, we’ve made it more significant than Him, asking for His forgiveness—that is like throwing away our idol, like stinky trash.
God continues with this thought: Why would we want to depend on our idols when they are not filled with the Spirit of God? (Is. 31:3). The Israelites sought the help of the Egyptians to fight their battle rather than relying on God. And God said, “No. Men and horses are only flesh.” Likewise, my battle with peoples’ opinions and perfectionism is not as knowing or powerful as God’s.
Another image God uses is that of a lion. As a lion growls over his prey and roars against shouting shepherds (this is like Assyria over Judah), (and my idol growling over me), so God comes down to do battle (Is. 31:4).
Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem;
He will shield and deliver it; he will ‘pass over’ it and rescue it.”
Isaiah 31:5 (NIV)
God will cover us when we give up our internal or external struggles. He will restore us with His light, His Spirit to fight, His music in our hearts, and His protection and deliverance.
What idol might rob you of your joy and the power of the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Lord, examine me. Comfort me when I feel the world and people’s opinions are too large. Forgive me when I let these things take precedence; I want your Spirit to complete His work in my heart. Help me throw away these worthless values of the world and depend anew on You. Protect me from the evil one who seeks to turn my heart towards people, and instead, keep me seeking the beauty of the Lord, His power, and His will. Amen.
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