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The Lord let Assyria do a little work for Him. He let Assyria be His rod, staff (Is 10:5), axe, and saw (Is 10:15). However, the Assyrians claimed that they were doing their own thing by their own power rather than being used by God. It was like a rod or staff claiming to wield the person who holds it (Is 10:15). We too fall into the "Assyrian heresy." We say such things as: "I made this money," "I worked hard to become a success," "I'm a self-made man," "God helped me because I helped myself," or "I'm in control of the situation." The truth is that, without Jesus, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). If not for Jesus, we wouldn't even exist or remain in existence. Of ourselves, we have no right to exist, hear, see, walk, think, or breathe. We owe everything to the Lord. St. Paul challenges us: "Name something you have that you have not received. If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own?" (1 Cor 4:7) The writer of James also challenges us: "Instead of saying, 'If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that,' all you can do is make arrogant and pretentious claims. All such boasting is reprehensible" (Jas 4:15-16). We must say to the Lord: "It is You Who have accomplished all we have done" (Is 26:12). Our lives should be dedicated to thanksgiving (Col 3:15). We have the awesome privilege to live and move, even to suffer and die. Let us thank the Lord forever for using us for anything. We owe Him everything. |
