“You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall. You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard the the One who planned it long ago.” (Isaiah 22:11 NIV)
Isaiah is speaking about a day yet to come, a day when Jerusalem would be surrounded by her enemies and her leadership would bless. In an effort to survive, water would be hoarded and houses torn down to reinforce the wall breaches. Isaiah warns God’s people: they would depend on their own strength rather than look to the Lord for help.
There is application for us here as well. How often do we attempt to self-resolve our own stories? We hit hardship and we move into problem-solving mode, often without even looking up, without asking for divine insight or help.
I’ll admit it. I’m guilty. I want to write that list. Make that phone call. Check that box. Make it happen, captain. I’m only just learning to slow down, look up, and regard the One who made me everything else on earth. I assume He’s got something He wants to say about my situation. I’m the one who needs to listen.
The One who made us longs to be involved! Remember, it is His desire that we would be His people and He would be our God. We live that out by including Him in the conversation through prayer and obedience.
The Israelites didn’t call on God because they had broken covenant with Him. On some level, they knew they had disregarded His ways and they believed any chance of survival was on their own. The next two verses describe their mindset.
“The Lord, the Lord Almighty called you on that day to weep and wail, to tear your hair out and put on sackcloth. But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! “Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!”” (Isaiah 22:12-12 NIV)
It’s true. We would rather work than weep. We’d rather eat and and drink and die than apologize. We prefer problem-solving to repentance.
Returning to God requires repentance. We must get sad about our sin because our sin makes God sad. Sin breaks relationship with Him. But repentance makes way for forgiveness. And forgiveness makes way for restoration. If you need God’s intervention in your story today, begins by saying “I’m sorry.” Look up and have regard for the One who planned it long ago.
Lord, our sin gets us into situations we cannot escape from in our flesh. We require Your glorious intervention. Confession is key. We repent. Let us weep and mourn over our sin. Please meet us with grace and address our need as only You can. Amen.