I simply can't trust God AND_________ (you fill in the blank)

Once again, my blog takes me back to my reading of Isaiah. I keep reading these oracles pronounced against various nations, and frankly, I was thinking, ok enough oracles. But I'm thankful that God continues to give me His word in spite of my fickleness.

So I've been reading these oracles against all these nations. Many of them had oppressed God's people or just outrightly defied God at every turn. Their judgment and destruction were swift and sure. But today, I reached the oracle pronounced against Tyre in chapter 23. I was struck all at once. I didn't really "see" the need for their destruction at first. But it is there, between the lines.

Tyre was a beautiful city, one of great prosperity and wealth. They had a history of being an ally to God's people, so I had to ask myself. Why would God bring about their destruction? The secret lies in verse 9. "The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor the honored of the earth."

God was simply showing the world once again the gospel (as He does from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation). What do I mean? He is showing the folly of trusting anyone or anything in addition to or instead of Himself.

I think I've been seeing God in a new light for the past several years. I'm thankful for sanctification. But the trials still remain. Financial, physical, etc. . . Once again, how easy it is to "trust" when the pocketbook is full and the pain is eased. But what about when the pocketbook is empty and the pain is real? If I don't trust as fully then, I'm guilty of idolatry. Maybe I'm trusting my pocketbook. Maybe I'm trusting my health. Maybe I'm trusting in friendships, or people, or. . . (hence the blank in the title). Maybe I think I'm trusting God, but I realize, I'm only satisfied when _____ (a friend calls, a bonus comes in, I'm feeling better).

I cannot trust God and_______ (you fill in the blank). If / when I trust ANYTHING or ANYONE other than God, I'm guilty of idolatry. I'm thankful for the example of Tyre. It's in God's mercy that He's showing us the folly of pride or trust in any other source aside from His grace and salvation. Lord, forgive our idolatry and show us where we place our trust other than you. Thank you for mercy and grace.