Isaiah
46 reminds me that carrying heavy burdens over time will wear us
down. Physical strain, worry, and even emotional baggage will
compress and degenerate. We can see it in the face and we can see it
in the posture. Some people seem to grimace through life with a
misguided penance, believing this is their curse to carry. In
today’s chapter Isaiah marks a firm contrast between those that are
lifted up and those that remain encumbered. He begins with two
infamous pagan idols, “Bel bows
down, Nebo stoops low“. They
were large wood or heavy metal images and he notes, “their
idols are borne by beasts of burden“.
He reiterates, they “are
carried about… a burden for the weary“.
To complete the image he adds, “They
stoop… unable to rescue…
they…go off into captivity“.
There are two main reasons people hold onto these debilitating
loads. Either it makes them feel needed, or they fear they must hold
onto trouble, or they will hold nothing at all. Friend, are you a
beast of burdens?
Isaiah
has a message for the “descendants
of Jacob” from God Himself.
“I have upheld since your
birth, and have carried since you were born… Even to your old age
and gray hairs“. I know
people that feel their religious experience was a hold up, but He is
not talking about religion. He desires a personal relationship.
Maybe you feel unworthy? Listen to His words, “I
have made you and I
will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you“.
You say, I have called out to God. Here is the problem, you have to
put down what you carry in order to reach out and take His hand. You
say, “I am not ready to give this up”. Isaiah describes what he
sees, “Some pour out gold…
make it into a god… They lift it to their shoulders and carry it…
it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles“.
You carry a car payment; you add to your distress, you pour out your
pay into momentary satisfaction and you say “I have no idol”.
Where is your trust? Where is your hope?
Remember
when you stood straight and tall? “Remember
the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no
other; I am God, and there is none like Me“.
God is not surprised, or disappointed, He knows “the
end from the beginning“. But
God Almighty is not mute, and He is not still. “I
will do all that I please… I will bring about; what I have
planned“. To you who stand
with arms full and heart empty, he says “Listen
to Me, you stubborn-hearted“.
He speaks to “You who are now
far from My righteousness“.
He has words of healing, “I am
bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and My salvation
will not be delayed. I will grant salvation“.
God does not force us to climb up to reach Him. He came to us to
take our sin and lift our sorrow. Jesus says to you and me, “Come
to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy
and My burden is light”
(Matthew 11:28-30). Do you have enough faith to let go of the past?
James 4:10, “Humble yourselves
before the Lord, and He will lift you up“.
Friend, will you be Borne by beasts of Burden, or born by faith?