Tag: God alone can save!
Don’t depend on man’s help!
Scripture reading for July 22nd: Isaiah 17-20
“Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be afraid and put to shame. In that day the people who live on this coast will say, ‘See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?” (Isaiah 20:5-6)
The fear of man is a snare that many men and women fall into. People look to a leader or a nation for help or protection. They rely on military power, political influence, or money to provide them a measure of safety and security. Most believe that ‘might makes right’ and that the ‘fittest will survive’. This appears to be the smart way to live successfully in this world.
We in the United States of America have had a lot to boast about in this regard. We have the most powerful military in the world. We have vast resources and technology that enables us to protect ourselves and to free oppressed peoples. But can these give us true safety and security? The Bible says that security is found in God alone!
Egypt was a powerful nation during this period of time. They were a nation of idolaters who consulted sorcerers and mediums instead of God. God’s prophet Isaiah warned His people that they would find these leaders very unreliable. (Isaiah 19:1-4) God would cause drought and famine to reduce the nation to despair. He would expose their politicians and officials as senseless and fools! (Isaiah 19:5-14) God would pour on them a spirit of dizziness causing them to stagger in their own vomit!
God’s mercy would be extended to those in Egypt as well. If they would turn to the Lord, He would have mercy on them! (Isaiah 19:19-22) He would raise up a deliverer and make Himself known to them. This passage ends with God declaring a blessing over Egypt and Assyria: “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:25)
God’s amazing mercy and love for all nations cause us to worship Him and willingly serve Him! Take time today and repent of any ‘trust in man’ and thank God that He is trustworthy! He alone is our source of protection and our way of escape!