epcblog

Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Isaiah 30

It is a disturbing fact of human history that when individuals or nations find themselves in mortal danger they often turn to supposed helpers that will not do them any good. The criminal who has been caught may seek help from a better thief rather than truly listen to someone who can lead in a direction of honest labor. The student who has not been diligent in his studies may turn to the one who is willing to help him cheat, rather than to the tutor who can help make the class more understandable or to the friend who could provide some healthy accountability. In Isaiah 30, it is the nation who God once rescued from the greedy clutches of Egypt, now facing the threat of the Assyrians, who turns back again to Egypt as a potential savior.

Why would Israel turn to Egypt for help? Egypt is the one with the horses, the chariots, the soldiers, the things that man can see in which Israel is putting her trust. Too often we reject the all-powerful invisible God and determine to put our trust in the most pitiful, though visible, solution to problems that are imminent and overwhelming. God calls His people stubborn children. They have a plan but it is not God’s plan, and it will surely fail. Others may have turned to Egypt in the past or Isaiah knew that some would turn to Egypt in the present or future, but Egypt would not be able to help them against the Assyrians.

Israel was like a child who would not listen to the very best advisor, the Holy One of Israel. Because of this God tells the prophet to write the words down as a witness against them, and also as a benefit for us if we will listen today, and we must… Ignoring the word of the Lord is only asking for trouble. The way for Israel, and for us, is exceedingly simple. “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.” But they are unwilling to hear this. They will run toward the clamor of Egyptian power, and forget the God who made them, and who rescued them from the hand of their Egyptian oppressors.

Despite this horrible testimony of rebellion, the Lord is resolutely determined to be gracious to Israel, and he waits for them like the father in Luke 15 who is looking for his lost son to return. Wait for His mercy today, and remember that he is waiting to be gracious to you. There will be a people for God in “Zion.” God will send them supernatural help and direction when He hears the sound of their cry. Yes He is the one who gave them the bread of adversity, but even that was for a gracious purpose. It was absolutely necessary that they be humbled, and that they would cry out to Him and find help. He will grant to them some kind of heavenly teacher, like a word behind them saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” You should be hearing these words now as you open your heart to a life of following God in quietness and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. Do not doubt. Do not resist. This is surely the way. Walk in it.

Our God is happy to bless us. He is not looking to end our story in affliction and failure. He is not stingy with anything that we would need as we seek first His kingdom. He knows our needs and He will provide according to His riches in glory. Is there some reason that you have decided that Jesus Christ does not desire to shower you with very many blessings today? Is it at least possible that He has only been humbling you for your good and that you need to seek His direction today for the way that you should go? If you are not seeking first the Kingdom of Christ in your life, if you are withholding your tithes and your time and efforts from His church, if you have taken vows that you are not keeping, if you are ignoring the inner testimony of a convicting conscience in some area of your life, you have chosen a road that is unnecessarily troublesome. Is there some reason that you have determined to make things harder upon yourself and others than they need to be?

God is very capable of providing speedy deliverance. His success rate is far above all earthly powers. He can bind up the brokenness of His people. He can use whatever methods He wishes to speak like a friend to hundreds in our town, “This is the way. Walk in it.” Let us then be willing to rest in the Savior who worked for our salvation. Let us return to Him again this very moment in quietness and trust. We will see the blessing of the Lord. He alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious name forever.

posted by Pastor Magee @ 7:00 AM

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