How can we apply "must be carried" to modern-day false securities? Setting the Scene Isaiah 46 exposes the helpless nature of idols. Verse 7: “They lift it to their shoulders; they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there. It does not move from its spot. If one cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.” The key phrase “must be carried” highlights that any god other than the LORD is a burden, not a savior. What “must be carried” Meant Then • An idol had weight; people literally hauled it around. • It offered no help in return—no speech, no rescue, no guidance. • The worshiper served the idol, not the other way around (cf. Psalm 115:4-8; Jeremiah 10:5). Modern-Day False Securities That Still “Must Be Carried” 1. Wealth and possessions • 1 Timothy 6:17 warns against the “uncertainty of riches.” • Homes, portfolios, gadgets require constant upkeep, insurance, updates. 2. Reputation and social image • Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man brings a snare.” • Image-management on social media demands endless curation and anxiety. 3. Career status and achievement • Ecclesiastes 2:11 calls toil “vanity and chasing the wind.” • Promotions must be maintained; titles need defending. 4. Political power or ideology • Psalm 146:3: “Do not put your trust in princes.” • Platforms shift, leaders fail, movements fade—yet they demand loyalty. 5. Personal health and fitness as identity • 1 Timothy 4:8: “Physical exercise is of limited value.” • Diets, regimens, supplements must be sustained; aging still comes. 6. Technology and convenience • Habakkuk 2:18-19 derides lifeless inventions. • Devices break, software updates, batteries die; dependence grows. Signs We Are “Carrying” These Idols • Emotional collapse when they wobble (market dips, job loss, bad press). • Compulsive checking, spending, or posting to keep them propped up. • Neglect of worship, family, or service because the idol’s maintenance consumes time. • Anxiety overriding peace promised in Philippians 4:6-7. Why the True God Carries Us Instead • Isaiah 46:4: “Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your gray hair I will carry you.” • Deuteronomy 33:27: “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” • 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Putting It Into Practice • Identify the load: ask, “What absorbs my strongest hopes, fears, and daily energy?” • Shift the weight: intentionally entrust that area to Christ (Matthew 11:28-30). • Replace rituals: trade scrolling or shopping “worship” for Scripture reading, fellowship, service. • Give generously: loosening grip on money breaks its power (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • Speak truth to yourself: rehearse Psalm 20:7—“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” • Rest in His sufficiency: Hebrews 13:5—“Be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Summary Anything that “must be carried” is ultimately a false security. Unlike lifeless idols, the living God carries His people. Offload every self-made source of confidence onto the shoulders that already bore the cross, and walk free. |
    |