Human Effort Is A god

To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, ‘You are my father.’ To an idol chiseled from a block of stone they say, ‘You are my mother.’ They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me, ‘Come and save us!’ [Jeremiah 2.27]

What are a carved piece of wood and a chiseled block of stone?

They are both the effort of man. They are the work of man. They are the ingenuity of man. They are the craft of man.

And man places these things above God ...until man realizes they do him no real good, at which time, man calls out to God (because "the only thing left to do is pray").

For the most part, we don't see people carving wooden images or chiseling blocks of stone as their gods today. No, laborious effort like that is below man today. Instead, we see science and technology as our primary answer for everything - for man's every need, ...at least until the doctor says, "There is nothing more we can do." Then, because we have exhausted all other man-made means of help, we turn to God.

Today, we are more health-conscious than ever. Oh sure, one might see some benefit from getting plenty of exercise and controlling their diet, but still the curses described in Deuteronomy 28 seem to make their way around. Man's effort to remedy the curses of Deuteronomy 28 will never succeed. Only repentance before God Almighty will cure man of the curses upon his life.

But, be sure of this, God will not accept our 'last resort' coming to Him. He is very clear throughout the Bible that we are to seek Him first and foremost in every circumstance in life. Far too long, we have fallen back on our human reasoning that 'God helps those who first help themselves.' But nowhere in the Bible is that anecdote taught! Instead, the Bible teaches that the man who throws himself upon the help and mercy of God is man God cares for - not the self-sufficient man.

Man's efforts block his view of God. Man's 'advancements' blind him to God's providence.

So far has man advanced in technology and knowledge today, that, the man who fully trusts in God (and God first and only) is seen as foolish and simple. So degraded has the religion of man become that even there, man is well instructed in taking care of himself rather than relying solely upon God. And, consequently, "repentance" is word seldom heard.

Father, I know my mind has been groomed to trust in almost any and everything but You. I have been deceived to believe that if I don't take care of myself, no one else will. I have been allowed to declare 'faith' in You but discouraged from acting upon it. I have been brainwashed to believe Your way is to seek man's solutions and 'call it God.' I have been quite thoroughly convinced that man-made solutions are sufficient. No one has ever said to call these man-made solutions 'god' but, that is what they have become. I repent of my idolatry! Forgive me for being so blind! Almighty God, You are my source and my strength - there is no human effort, including my own, that will sidestep the necessity for repentance for curses upon my life. Forgive me and help me learn what it is to seek You first in EVERYTHING!