This summer, I’ve been reading through the OT book Isaiah. The prophets are so rich with application for our lives today. Isaiah writes about God’s judment upon Judah and her impending captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. He begins by describing the arrogance and idolatry of Judah. Chapter 2, verse 22 says, “Stop putting your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. How can they be of help to anyone?” (NLT)

Isaiah’s indictment of Judah could be ours as well. In many ways, we are a prideful people. Pride is at the heart of any sin. When I choose to live life the way I want, in essence I’m saying to God, “Your way isn’t good enough. I want to do things my way.” You can’t say anything more prideful than that! Our actions and lifestyle choices must wound God incredibly, much as Israel’s did.

Yet, God promises to be faithful to those who place their trust in Him. It sounds so trite and churchy – it’s even written on our money – but it’s the absolute truth. Living by faith is scary, though. It means trusting God’s way is better than mine. It means believing Him, taking Him at His Word, even when I don’t want to. It requires that I walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that even though God’s ways are not my ways, His way is ultimately best. When we stop trusting in ourselves and begin to live in full trust with Him, life becomes, in the words of Jesus, abundant.

Hear Isaiah. Stop trusting in humans. Stop worrying so much about what others think of you. Quit allowing other people’s perception of you to dictate how you live. Instead, fall fully before your Father and trust only in Him.