Why do
people do the things they do? Why do you
do the things you do?
This
week’s sermon text is Isaiah 10: 5-34.
As you prepare for worship take time to read this passage. As you read, pray that God would open your
eyes to see Him and His ways through this portion of Isaiah.
In this
passage we find deep and profound truths about God’s sovereign purposes and His
righteous ways. We have seen God’s hand
stretched out in judgment against His rebellious people (Is 9:8 – 10:5). Now we see the hand of God raised in judgment
against the Assyrians. God calls the
Assyrians to come and destroy Judah and Israel (7:18-19), then God judges the
Assyrians and destroys them (10:5-34).
This is
one of the deep mysteries of the Bible.
It falls into the category of God’s ways that are described in Isaiah
55:
For
my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the
LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than
the earth,
are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your
thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The ways
of God are mysterious, and sometimes troubling to us. I don't fully understand how God can
determine that people act in certain ways and then hold them accountable for
those actions. But our passage gives us
a glimpse into one aspect of this truth that gives us some insight and
understanding.
God sees
the motives and intentions of the heart.
He sees not just what we do,
but why we do it. This was the case with the Assyrians. God’s purpose for Assyria was that they be
“the rod” of his anger, “the staff” He
used to discipline and judge His covenant people who had turned from Him,
becoming “a godless nation” in the process.
(Isaiah 10:5-6) Assyria’s
intention was much more: But he does not so intend, and his heart
does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations
not a few (Isaiah 10:7 ). We will
see that Assyria was motivated by arrogance, pride, bloodlust and greed. God saw these intentions in the heart of the
Assyrians and in righteousness He judged and destroyed them (Is. 37:36).
I believe
there is an application of this truth for us as we prepare for worship. Why do we do what we do? Why do
we give, why do we pray, why do we come to church, why do we serve?
I ask
this not to cause undue concern or instill unwarranted guilt. As I consider this in my own life I should be
asking God to examine my heart. Am I
doing this so others will see me? Am I
doing this so others will think better of me?
With David we should be praying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23-24) ‘Look into my heart and see if there are
prideful motivations or self-serving intentions; reveal these to me so that I
can repent and receive the sweet forgiveness of Christ; so that I can worship
You and serve others with the full joy of the Lord.
Restore to me the
joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach
transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from
bloodguiltiness,
O God, O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will
sing aloud
of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my
lips, and my mouth
will declare your praise. (Psalm
51:12-15)
When the
Apostle Paul considered the profound truths of God’s mysterious sovereign ways
he was filled with awe and praise:
“O the depths of the riches and wisdom and
knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are
his judgments
and how inscrutable his ways.
For from him and through him
and to him are all things.
To him be the
glory forever, Amen.”
(Romans 11:33 & 36)
As you
prepare for worship this Sunday, pray for your heart to be filled with this
same humble response of praise and awe.
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