Isaiah 57:12-13 (NIV)

12 I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.
13 When you cry out for help,let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”

Salvation by our own righteousness, works, or collection of idols is counterfeit to God being our refuge, inheritance, and enjoyed fellowship.

Titus 3:5-7 (NLT)

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

We take refuge in God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT)

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

The Power of God’s Word

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God Guides Our Lives

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Living by my wisdom leads me to destruction

Flesh 3:16-17

16 My own wisdom comes from past pain, drama, and trauma and is profitable in building a case to protect myself. It’s my defense mechanism that justifies bad behavior and a victim mindset.
17 I live in perpetual deficit, ill-equipped to be honest with myself.

Isaiah 57:14-15 (NIV)

14 And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 57:18-19 (NASB)

18 “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
19 Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far away and to him who is near,”
Says the Lord, “and I will heal him.”