Climbing Out

Isaiah 25:10-11
(10) For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.
(11) And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim, but the LORD will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands.

Like us, the Moabites tried their best to fix what was wrong. They thought that they could get out of the muck and mire that they found themselves in. However, God already had plans to keep them down there.

This would be depressing were it not for the promises made throughout the New Testament for believers. Yes, there are times when we find ourselves in the mire. There are times when we try to pull ourselves out, but God keeps us in there. The good news for us that there is a sanctifying aspect to that. 1 Peter and James are two places that tell us that God does not waste trials in our lives. Of course, there is also Romans 8:28.

God will knock down the pride of our striving. He will keep us in the mire when we need to be brought low. I can't say that it is easy to embrace, but it's something to think about.