Stop trusting in mere humans,
who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?
Isaiah 22:2 NIV
In chapters 1 and 2 of Isaiah, you read how Israel had turned away from God and were putting more stock in their idols, especially human ones. In Isaiah 1:23, it speaks of how their “rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts.” Later on in Isaiah 2:6, it says “You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs.” And so chapter 2 of Isaiah ends with a commandment to stop trusting in mere humans who are mortal and asks a question that is ever so relevant for us today: why are we holding people in esteem?
Considering Scripture
Don’t get me wrong. We should respect others and view them in a positive light as much as we can. But esteeming another to a level that should only be reserved for the likes of God, the Immortal One, is when we have to check ourselves and ask “Am I esteeming others over God?” Below are a few verses of Scripture worth considering that caution us about positioning humans in our lives in the place that should be reserved for God and His authority.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
Psalms 118:8-9 NIV
Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
Psalm 146:3 NLT
Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.
Proverbs 29:25 NLT
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?
Or am I trying to please people?
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 NIV
“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.
So why are you afraid of mere humans,
who wither like the grass and disappear?
Isaiah 51:12 NLT
“You must not have any other god but me.
Exodus 20:3 NLT
This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:5 NLT
Besides warning us about the inappropriateness of elevating humans over God, these verses also encourage us to contemplate:
- the fleeting existence of humans,
- the limitations of human wisdom, strength and power
- the danger in trusting humans over God,
- the idolatrous nature of seeking to please humans over God
Who He is and who we are not
This post is not for those who don’t believe in God. This post is written as a reminder to the Body of Christ about protecting the position that should be occupied only by the Lord God Almighty. He is the only One whose existence is not fleeting! The One who is all-powerful and limitless when it comes to what He can do! His all-knowing wisdom is incomparable even in this AI world we live in! He doesn’t need to bribe, lie or flatter anyone to get ahead. There is no need for Him to distort truth to look good nor partner with others to make things happen.
So let’s be careful of putting God in His rightful place. Let’s ensure we are not giving the esteem due Him to others who can never compare in wisdom, strength nor power. Let His proclamation in Revelation 1:8 keep us grounded in who humans are not and remind us of who He is:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,”
says the Lord God,
“who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Considerations 