A thing of nought

Amos 6:13

Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?

A thing of nought! A thing unprofitable, futile, meaningless! A thing which can produce no positive end! A thing, which, as a dead tree or useless structure, cannot be trusted. It will bow beneath the load and break. So will it be for anyone who trusts in their own strength. It is useless, foolish, weak, and fragile. It is a thing of nought. We may suggest something from the passage before us today. The real sin of Israel was not just that they turned to other gods, and began to live in idolatry. It is not just that they disobeyed the commandments of the Lord. It is not just that they acclimated and assimilated to the heathen and pagan customs about them. It is not just that they lived their own way instead of the Lord’s way. For these are only symptoms! Why did they do these things? Because they turned to their own strength rather than the Lord’s. They got the foolish idea that they could figure it out themselves. It is pride! They decided that they would take to them horns by their own strength. But this did not work, and it never does. It will lead to more and greater sins. For we cannot trust ourselves. It is a thing of nought!

A thing of nought! Yes, it is! Have you found this to be the case? For you see, beloved, we must understand that in the flesh dwelleth no good thing. We cannot stand without the Lord. We cannot walk the right path without the Lord. And neither can we truthfully do anything else without Him. We cannot trust in our strength! It will turn upon us and rend us! It is as the king of Egypt, who was as a staff that if one leaned upon it, it would pierce his hand. It will only be destructive to us. Do not lean upon yourself, my friend, but lean upon the Lord. Lean upon the everlasting arms! Make Him your refuge, your fortress, your strength! Make Him the resort unto which your soul continually flees. Lean only upon Him. For it is always better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Have no confidence in yourself alone, but always and only in the Lord!

“Dear Lord, this day we desire to cease from our own strength. For the arm of flesh and the power of the human mind and body will fail. But your power is inexhaustible, unfailing, and dependable. We can always trust you, Lord. Help us to trust you, and not ourselves. Please, Lord, show us the way, guide us, strengthen us, be our stay and our rock each day, that we may build our lives upon Thee. As we trust you, we know that you will guide us more and more unto that perfect day. And we shall praise you for this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”