Isaiah 50:10-11

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. But now, all you who light first and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand. You will lie down in torment.

I read these verses today. Then I re-read them. Again. They just made me stop. Think. The person who is in the dark without light has two choices. You can trust the Lord and rely on Him, or try to make your own light and find your own way. I find it interesting that there’s no promise for trusting God. But there certainly is a consequence for trying to do things your own way. The person who chooses not to rely on God will lie down in torment! Another version says they will lie down in sorrow. Sounds awful.

I think it struck me because a lot of times I feel like I”m in the dark. I don’t know where to live or where to get a job or what to do with my life. Directionless. And how many times do I really just trust God? Do I rely on him? Or do I try to do things on my own? Make my own flaming torches?

Read them again. What are they saying to you?