Isaiah 14
In 2006, a New York city judge allowed José Luis Espinal to legally change his name to Jesus Christ. Following the decision, Espinal said he was “happy” and “grateful” that the judge approved the change. He also said that he was moved to seek the name change about a year prior to the decision, when it dawned on him that, “I am the person that is that name.”
Who is Isaiah speaking of?
I will ascend. I will get to the very top. I will be above everyone. No one can stop me. I am above and beyond. I would rather destroy what I have than give it someone else. (v13-17)
Who is this person?
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon? Satan? Your enemy? The friend you once knew?
No matter who they are they will never make it.
There is only one God.
Nik Wallenda has become the most-watched high wire artist and daredevil in the world. His two most recent feats were seen by a billion people across the world. In 2012 Wallenda walked a tightrope across Niagara Falls. In 2013 Wallenda became the first person to high-wire walk across the Grand Canyon.
Wallenda knows that he will be tempted by pride, so after the accolades and applauds have died down and people have gone home he goes around the site and picks up rubbish. Wallenda recently wrote,
“My purpose is simply to help clean up after myself. Three hours of cleaning up debris is good for my soul. Humility does not come naturally to me. So if I have to force myself into situations that are humbling, so be it …. I know that I need to get down on my hands and knees like everyone else. I do it because it’s a way to keep from tripping. As a follower of Jesus, I see him washing the feet of others. I do it because if I don’t serve others I’ll be serving nothing but my ego.”
May we all serve in the rubbish.
Missions Paul 