Pride and God's Grace: Weary My God

“Is it not enough that you weary human beings? Must you also weary my God?” ~Isaiah 7:13b

Growing up with shows like I Dream of Jeanie and Disney’s Aladdin made all of us imagine what we would wish for if we found a genie in bottle. What would I wish for? That’s changed as I’ve gotten older: Now I would wish for a nice house, nice car, and to be setup financially for generations to come. When I was a kid, I would wish for toys or outlandish things like the ability to fly (alright, I still want to fly). But could you imagine refusing the wish? Why would you? Well, in Isaiah chapter 7 verses 11-13 Isaiah tells King Ahaz “Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then he said: Listen, house of David! Is it not enough that you weary human beings? Must you also weary my God?” Ahaz was not granted three wishes – he was offered a sign of his choosing that God could and would make everything right.

Isaiah is basically saying to Ahaz, “Are you kidding me?” It is true that Moses did teach the Israelites “Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah” (Deut. 6:16). But Ahaz was corrupt and did not respect God. His ‘righteous’ behavior is ‘disguised’ arrogance. God giving Ahaz the opportunity to ask for a sign that goes beyond our natural world serves to reconcile the King back to reliance on God instead of the Assyrian King or prove he does not follow God’s commands.

When Pride and God's Grace Collide

Even service that looks humble can expose the clash between pride and God's grace.

This applies to us, because our pride can get in the way of God’s grace even if it appears we are humbly serving Him. This Advent, God offers us the greatest sign, the birth of the Messiah, His Son Jesus. Will you accept this sign, or will you weary God?

Always improve the present moment.