Isaiah 10:15-17

 Does an ax exalt itself over the one who wields it, or a saw magnify itself over the one who cuts with it? As if a scepter should brandish the one who raises it, or a staff should lift up what is not made of wood! For this reason the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, will make his healthy ones emaciated. His majestic glory will go up in smoke. The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One will become a flame; it will burn and consume the Assyrian king’s briers and his thorns in one day.

The King of Assyria has made boasts about his own sovereignty as though he controls his own destiny rather than the Lord. An ax, a saw, and a rod are used as examples to highlight the foolishness of his claim. It is foolish because this king, all kings, every person ever to live is under the authority of Jesus Christ. We use tools daily, and those tools behave according to the influence of the one who uses them. As people created in the image of God, we also have been given authority – but it is given, not self-proclaimed. We recognize that our influence, authority, and everything we are is owed to Jesus. He purchased us at a price, and all we have belongs to Him. Our purpose is perfected in surrender to His direction. Trust in His perfect plans for your life.