Devo Isaiah 46:3-5

"Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.  Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  With whom will you compare me or count me equal."

This passage was taken in the context of the Israelites being in captive in the land of Babylon.  The people of Babylon worshipped false gods.  Isaiah was speaking to the Israelites to worship the God that will sustain and carry His people.  A Christian living in Toronto Canada is similar to the Israelites living in Babylon.  The idols worshipped in this land are: wealth, sex, and power.

I reflected upon my current situation.  God is telling me that He will carry and sustain me.  I am feeling uncertain about the road ahead: leading my family and challenges in ministry.  He said "with whom will you compare me or count me equal".  I am tempted to believe wealth and respect will enable me to take up the challenge.  Satan is tempting me to despair and tells me of the guilt of the desire of wealth and respect from within.  I pray for forgiveness.  I pray for deliverance.  I realized that wealth and the desire for respect is an idol I am facing.

God led me to read my favourite book of the Bible the Proverbs.  There is nothing evil about being wealthy and being respected.  The desire to become rich and respectable becomes a serious sin when I consider sacrificing my relationship with God.  I reflected on other sins I struggled with.  The root cause is the desire to be honoured and respected.

Some verses in Proverbs spoke to me: God said "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness finds life and honour.  The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life.  One who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor"  As a man, I desire to be respected.  I believe this is a desire for most guys anyway.  God promised that people who respect God will naturally be respected.