In the shadow of the looming threat of Assyria, Judah sent for help to Egypt. But God warns them here in Isaiah 30-31 that, far from being a protective wall around her, Egypt will be a cracked wall that will fall on top of her. Notice, here again, the grief of God over his people. He longs to protect and bless them, but they will not turn to him. They will not heed his correction. They preferred to live in the delusion of their autonomy. And yet there was an opportunity for them to find a sweet and serene peace with God. If they would only surrender themselves to him and call on his name, he would rush to them like the father rushed to the prodigal son and embraced him in love and grace. God gives his people here a vision of the future that lies beyond this threat if they should choose to trust him. They would see the zeal of God blow their enemies away which they certainly did in Hezekiah’s time. The nation did turn back to God for a time and God’s response proved his faithfulness beyond a doubt. Why are we so reticent to entrust ourselves to God? Why is he so often the last resort in a crisis rather than the first port of call? God wants to show you his faithfulness. Give him an occasion to bless you. Call on him now and find rest in his love for you. There is a security in him that, when you find yourself in it, will make your self-devised securities look like a wall of paper.
Give over to God whatever concerns you the most today.
Read Isaiah 30 and 31
