But this is what the LORD has told me: “When a strong young lion stands growling over a sheep it has killed, it is not frightened by the shouts and noise of a whole crowd of shepherds. In the same way, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will come down and fight on Mount Zion. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will hover over Jerusalem and protect it like a bird protecting its nest. He will defend and save the city; he will pass over it and rescue it.” [Isaiah 31.4-5]
Man, what a promise!
Let's be very certain however that we understand who this promise is to. This promise is made to those who refuse to look to "Egypt" for help and instead look only to God. This translates very well to us today about trusting the plethora of idols available to us for benefits God said He Himself would provide.
"Egypt" promised to meet a wide variety of actual needs that God demanded His people look to Him to provide. Verses 1-3 of Isaiah 31 give us insight into this:
What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. In his wisdom, the LORD will send great disaster; he will not change his mind. He will rise against the wicked and against their helpers. For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God! Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits! When the LORD raises his fist against them, those who help will stumble, and those being helped will fall. They will all fall down and die together. [Isaiah 31.1-3]
So, what is Isaiah 31.4-5 really saying to us today? It gives us a solid promise that God will defend us when we make our stand to trust Him alone by rejecting the strength and help (defense) of mere humans. As much as I have been on a soapbox decrying our current dependence upon man's systems of finance, medicine, and technology, I find the most profound and encouraging promise yet associated with doing so. God stands over me like a strong young lion not affected one bit by the scorn of those who think me foolish for literally and figuratively 'dying' to my needs so that He might consume me!
When Jesus said, "Take up your cross..." He knew full well the all-encompassing death that phrase meant to "self" and "human help." He knew full well that every human self-defense mechanism (systems of finance, systems of physical and mental health, and systems of technology) would be a daily obstacle to overcome. Jesus knew. It is beyond ironic that Isaiah compared the benefits of our full trust in God to being like a dead sheep over which God growls in protection over! None should dare come against Him!
Wow, wow, wow.
The revelation of this today is... wow!
Father, may I be more determined today than ever to trust You alone - to die to any self-defense help from man so that I might be that dead sheep over which You dare anyone attempt to take from You!
1 comment:
Amen brother Greg, I don’t think but very few followers actually get this. I wholeheartedly agree. Where are we looking for our provision? It’s very simple but we have completely and totally been brainwashed and been utterly subjugated to only know how to follow the worlds view of what to do. And yes there are dozens of ways to follow the world we can view, but none of them are Jesus. He is the only way, and that path is narrow and few but find it. It takes deep conviction and deep digging in the soul to find His way. It takes courage to step out of that boat. Only the focused can truly keep their eyes on Christ without distraction. This is why we need the Word, Prayer & Unity with fellow believers. I need you brother and all my Christian family to help me when my eyes drop.I don’t need loving sentimentality that mean nothing, I need stern directions from love that will move me on the right path and not the wrong one, even though it may hurt. I love ya brother, good word
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