FInding Security in God\'s Word
Finding our security in God’s word.
Isaiah 30
“In repentance and rest, you will be saved; in quietness and trust is your strength.”
It was a troubling time. Israel was a buffer state between two superpowers vying for control over the Ancient Near East. To the northeast, Assyria threatened to invade Judah in their quest to put pressure on Egypt. To the south, Egypt stood firm in its position to remain the dominant superpower. Lying in the middle of these superpowers was a small nation controlling the major thoroughfare between these two mighty nations. The kingdom that gained control of the trade routes connecting Africa and Asia would control the ancient near east. Because of this, Assyria had its eye on Judah. They had already gained control of the northern portion of Israel. To complete their conquest, they needed to capture Judah.
Consequently, Judah had every reason to be concerned. Those in power in Judah desired to ally with Egypt to protect themselves from Assyria. During the 14th year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, started an invasion of the land of Judah. However, the problem was more than just political; the problem was spiritual. Judah was to place their trust in God rather than political maneuvering. Even after God miraculously delivered Jerusalem and defeated the Assyrians, factions within the nation wanted to ally with Egypt. Through Isaiah, and later Jeremiah, God warned Judah of the need to return to him. Otherwise, they would face the same fate that the northern tribes of Israel had faced. The problem was spiritual and their failure to trust in God. God warns them that they are to trust in him and his promises rather than the power of Egypt.
Even with this warning, the people of Judah turned to Egypt. When Isaiah and Jeremiah warned against this alliance, they refused to listen. Instead, they listened to those who did not pronounce such a dire warning. They are no different from many today. We want positive messages that affirm us rather than confront us with sin. We want preachers to say what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. Those who denounce corruption are labeled as judgmental and uncaring. Paul echoed the words of Isaiah 30:9-11 that the time will come when people “will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their desires.” However, when we reject God’s word to pursue a message palatable, we will become overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. Security is not found in false illusions but in the protection of God’s word. Only when we trust and obey his word can we find strength. The opposite of fearing the enemy is to remain calm and rest by putting our trust and confidence in God. When our rest and confidence are in him, we can assure that God’s plan for us will be achieved.
In verse 18, Isaiah closes with a call to the people to trust God, for God longs to be gracious and compassionate. His justice is both a comfort and a threat. For those who reject him, it is a threat as he judges sin. However, his justice is also a comfort, for he promises to give deliverance to those who trust him. For him to fail to do so would be both unloving and unjust, which goes against his nature.
Are we focused on living our life by our wisdom? Are we striving to follow our agenda, and do we reject his word as outdated? To do so will only result in overwhelming fear as we are confronted with circumstances we cannot control. However, when we trust his word and obey his commands, we find security and strength for today and whatever may come our way in the future.
Isaiah 30
“In repentance and rest, you will be saved; in quietness and trust is your strength.”
It was a troubling time. Israel was a buffer state between two superpowers vying for control over the Ancient Near East. To the northeast, Assyria threatened to invade Judah in their quest to put pressure on Egypt. To the south, Egypt stood firm in its position to remain the dominant superpower. Lying in the middle of these superpowers was a small nation controlling the major thoroughfare between these two mighty nations. The kingdom that gained control of the trade routes connecting Africa and Asia would control the ancient near east. Because of this, Assyria had its eye on Judah. They had already gained control of the northern portion of Israel. To complete their conquest, they needed to capture Judah.
Consequently, Judah had every reason to be concerned. Those in power in Judah desired to ally with Egypt to protect themselves from Assyria. During the 14th year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, started an invasion of the land of Judah. However, the problem was more than just political; the problem was spiritual. Judah was to place their trust in God rather than political maneuvering. Even after God miraculously delivered Jerusalem and defeated the Assyrians, factions within the nation wanted to ally with Egypt. Through Isaiah, and later Jeremiah, God warned Judah of the need to return to him. Otherwise, they would face the same fate that the northern tribes of Israel had faced. The problem was spiritual and their failure to trust in God. God warns them that they are to trust in him and his promises rather than the power of Egypt.
Even with this warning, the people of Judah turned to Egypt. When Isaiah and Jeremiah warned against this alliance, they refused to listen. Instead, they listened to those who did not pronounce such a dire warning. They are no different from many today. We want positive messages that affirm us rather than confront us with sin. We want preachers to say what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. Those who denounce corruption are labeled as judgmental and uncaring. Paul echoed the words of Isaiah 30:9-11 that the time will come when people “will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their desires.” However, when we reject God’s word to pursue a message palatable, we will become overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. Security is not found in false illusions but in the protection of God’s word. Only when we trust and obey his word can we find strength. The opposite of fearing the enemy is to remain calm and rest by putting our trust and confidence in God. When our rest and confidence are in him, we can assure that God’s plan for us will be achieved.
In verse 18, Isaiah closes with a call to the people to trust God, for God longs to be gracious and compassionate. His justice is both a comfort and a threat. For those who reject him, it is a threat as he judges sin. However, his justice is also a comfort, for he promises to give deliverance to those who trust him. For him to fail to do so would be both unloving and unjust, which goes against his nature.
Are we focused on living our life by our wisdom? Are we striving to follow our agenda, and do we reject his word as outdated? To do so will only result in overwhelming fear as we are confronted with circumstances we cannot control. However, when we trust his word and obey his commands, we find security and strength for today and whatever may come our way in the future.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
2023
January
When actions speak louder than words.When Life turns darkLiving between a rock and a hard place.When Faith OvercomesThe Divine ConductorTheology of ExperienceAffirming Faith in The Midst of ConfusionThe Danger of TraditionThe Danger of Human ReasonThe Basis for WisdomThe God who DeliversThe Self Revelation of GodThe Beauty of GodThe Freedom of ForgivenessThe Wonder of God\'s PresenceThe Foundation of WisdomThe Basis for WisdomThe Appeal of WisdomThe Wisdom of GodThe Wise Recognize Their IgnoranceThe Paradox of LifeThe Timing of God
February
Approaching GodFinding Wisdom in Unlikely PlacesThe Key to LifeThe Purpose of MarriageGuarding the MarriageCelebrating One AnotherThe Danger of Improper LoveThe Power of LoveThe Answer to Paralying FearWhen God throws a party.FInding Security in God\'s WordFinding Answers in LifeGod\'s Personal InvolvementThe Folly of IdolatryWhen we feel decieved by GodCelebrating the New CovenantThe Righteous Justice of God
Categories
no categories
No Comments