It was no debating the fact that the southern kingdom of Judah was in a precarious situation. The Assyrian army had conquered the northern kingdom and taken the people into exile. The Assyrians did this to ensure that the territory they conquered would never rebel, they would carry out forced relocation of the people to other lands, and repopulate the conquered territory with Assyrians. That’s why you'll often hear about the “ten lost tribes of Israel,” as the ten tribes of the northern kingdom were disbursed by Sennacherib. But Sennacherib had now set his sights on the southern kingdom, Judah.
While these events are far removed from our lives, just like Judah, we are at times faced with a precarious situation, and the wrong decision could be costly. At times like these, we need guidance, we need strength, we need help.
So in times of trouble, who do you call upon? Apparently Judah sought help, but they sought it from the wrong source - Egypt.
“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!” (Isaiah 30:1-2)
See there’ nothing wrong with getting outside counsel, matter of fact the bible encourages it:
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, (but… notice the next verse) but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:20-21 ESV)
But we should be careful who we turn to for counsel, as the source of the counsel has a direct effect on the outcome.
Receiving counsel from worldly sources will result in worldly results.
Receiving counsel from the godly sources will result in godly results!
Are you having marital problems?
The world says “If your spouse isn’t making you happy, you should drop them and go find another one.”
The Lord says "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mark 10:9), and “husbands, love your wives,” and “wives, submit to your husbands” (Eph 5:22, 25).
Has someone done you wrong?
The world says “payback time!”
The Lord says “love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you."
Are you facing a difficult situation?
The world says “do whatever you have to do to get out of it…”
The Lord says to trust Him:
For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
- Trusting God means returning. If there’s disobedience in our lives, then return to the LORD’s ways. Returning also has the idea of drawing close to the LORD.
- Trusting God means rest. When we trust God, we don’t have to strive for ourselves. We don’t have to run around trying to protect or guard ourselves. We can rest because God is our protection.
- Trusting God means quietness. We don’t need to argue our side when God is on our side. Be quiet before Him and before others.
- Trusting God means confidence. We aren’t given to despair or fear, because we trust God’s promise. We know He can and will come through.
Saints, there is no person walking this earth more powerful than a child of God boldly and properly trusting in the living God! So the next time you're faced with a difficult situation, remember “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Pastor Clay
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