Isaiah 22:19-21

Isaiah 22:19-21 (ESV):  “19 I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your station. 20 In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, 21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.”

Pride will strip you of the privilege of being a servant of God. God will not tolerate a “Look at me” attitude. Be humble or be humbled—the choice is yours.

Isaiah was instructed to prophesy against Shebna, the royal steward and scribe in Judah during King Hezekiah’s reign. In arrogance, Shebna rejected the prophetic word of God concerning the coming deportation of Judah. Instead, he built himself an elaborate tomb, as if to say, “I don’t care what God says—I will die in this land.” His pride led to his removal from his influential position. He was stripped of the privilege of being an instrument in God’s hand. Pride was his downfall.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how arrogant are you? Pride not only hinders your ability to be used by God—it can disqualify you from representing Him altogether. Be diligent with your heart, lest you be stripped like Shebna. God is looking for loyal hearts through whom He can show Himself strong. Stay low at the feet of Jesus, and you’ll be just fine. Amen?

Father, what a privilege it is to be Your servant. It’s all Your doing. Help us never to take credit for Your appointment and calling. Keep us humble and usable, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.