How can we prioritize seeking God in our problem-solving strategies? A Snapshot of Isaiah 22:11 “You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool, but you did not look to the One who made it or regard Him who planned it long ago.” (Isaiah 22:11) Jerusalem’s engineers prepared for siege by directing their ingenuity toward a water system—wise and necessary work. Yet God rebuked them because their hearts bypassed Him, the very Architect of their existence. The text lays out a timeless principle: diligent problem-solving that sidesteps the Lord misses the mark altogether. The Core Problem: Human Plans Without Divine Consultation • Resourcefulness is not rebellion, but resourcefulness minus reverence is. • The people strengthened walls, secured water, and counted on their own creativity. They never paused to consult the God who “planned it long ago.” • In God’s eyes, ignoring His counsel is more dangerous than any military threat outside the gate. Why Seeking God Must Come First • God is Creator and Sustainer; He alone sees the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10). • Every solution finds its true alignment when submitted to His sovereign design (Proverbs 3:5-6). • To “look to the One who made it” is an act of worship and wisdom combined. Practical Steps to Put God First in Problem-Solving 1. Begin with deliberate God-awareness • Pause before strategizing; acknowledge His presence (Psalm 46:10). 2. Ask for His wisdom specifically • “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God…” (James 1:5). 3. Examine motives and methods in light of Scripture • Compare each idea against clear biblical commands (Psalm 119:105). 4. Trust His timing and sovereignty • God may adjust or override plans; surrender the outcome (Proverbs 16:9). 5. Integrate prayer throughout the process • Not a final stamp but a constant dialogue (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 6. Surround decisions with godly counsel • Wisdom thrives in community rooted in the Word (Proverbs 15:22). 7. Act in obedience, not anxiety • Faith works hard yet rests in Him (Philippians 4:6-7). Encouragement from Other Passages • Psalm 127:1 — “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” • 2 Chronicles 20:12 — Jehoshaphat confesses, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” God answers with victory. • Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Conclusion: A Reservoir of Faith, Not Just Bricks and Mortar The builders in Isaiah 22 secured water but forfeited divine favor. Our projects—budgets, relationships, ministries—require reservoirs of faith even more than bricks and mortar. Real success flows when every blueprint begins and ends with a look toward “the One who made it.” |
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