Regard

 Stop regarding man, in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

Isaiah 2:22

Judah was facing an existential threat. The Assyrian empire had already swallowed up her Northern neighbour of Israel. Egypt was a danger to the south. And Babylon, the empire that would eventually overthrow her, was growing in power.

We live in similarly testing times. Brexit has thrown up a lot of regional uncertainty. The refugee crisis continues, fueled by instability in Africa and the Middle East. Putin seems determined to rebuild a Russian empire. America is about to elect a president who will be unpopular whoever wins, as the nation is rocked by shootings and racial tensions. I could go on...

Solomon says in Ecclesiastes that whoever watches the wind will not plant. Similarly here, God is trying to give us perspective and to encourage us to get on with our lives quietly. Why worry about people, who are just a breath, then they are gone. Far more important to have regard for God, the divine orchestrator.

Maybe it's a difficult work situation. Maybe it's an idolised relationship. But having regard for man will cripple us and make us ineffectual. Far better to have regard for God who empowers us to live fruitful and productive lives.

"Lord God of the angel armies, help me to have regard for you rather than people, who are just a breath. Forgive me when my perspective is skewed and I worry about things that you have got in hand. Thank you that you are in control, and that I am yours, in Jesus' name, amen"

(From the archives)