Tag: Trust

kal visuals 1p gtkk0sbq unsplash

Trusting in Man will bring Doom- Isaiah- Week 6- Day 2

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. (3) Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

Isaiah 31:2-3

Explanation:
At the national level, Kings would seek out counselors to give them advice and direction as to what to do. Some commentators say that verse 2 is a statement somewhat directed at the king who is trusting in the advice of these counselors, when it states, “He also is wise.” It is as if the prophet is saying, “You’re trusting in the counsel of these so called ‘wise men’ but God is the ultimate wisdom.” Why should God be trusted? Several reasons are given in these two verses.
• He is wise. – His wisdom surpasses human wisdom.
• He will judge evil doers. – Every person will ultimately answer to God.
• Egyptians are just men. – They are not the omniscient, omnipotent God of the Universe.
• Their horses are just animals. – Animals are temporary, created beings.
• God will destroy the evil doers, and those who rely on them. – Those who rely on others who do not acknowledge God will be judged. Both parties will be judged.

Application:
It may seem like a good idea in the short term to rely more on the temporary, man-made, evil doer rather than to trust in God, but that plan will ultimately always turn out the same way. If you rely on them, ultimately both you and they will fall.

Response:
• How will you express your trust in God today?

jeff finley wdnj hvkkha unsplash

Trusting in Man will bring Doom- Isaiah- Week 6- Day 1

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Isaiah 31:1

Explanation:
In this week’s text we start out with a very definitive statement, that must be read all the way through to make a proper interpretation. God, through the mouth of the prophet Isaiah pronounces “woe” or doom, danger, and destruction to a certain kind of person with a specific kind of thinking.

Who is the one in danger? Notice the list of characteristics given in this text of the person who is in danger:
• Those who rely on Egypt
• Stay on horses
• Trust in chariots
• Count the number
• Trust in horseman
There is a way of thinking that suggests that man’s plans, man’s strength, man’s strategies, man’s inventions, and the like are worth putting all your trust and confidence. The issue is not with having plans, strategies, or inventions. The issue with God is mentioned at the end of the verse when it says, “…but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, nor trust in God.” Ultimate, eternal security can only be found in the True and Living God of Israel. All other hope is false hope.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalms 20:7

Putting our trust in mortal man at the expense of putting our trust in the eternal True and Living God will always ultimately lead to “woe”, danger, and destruction.

Application:
Certainly, this passage has a national perspective in mind, but it does not disclude this principle being applicable to our own individual lives. Is it wrong to plan or prepare? Of course, it is not. The issue is not having defenses, or a plan. The issue is one of trust. Where is your security? Do you trust in your plan, your weapon, or some temporary man-made factor more than, or instead of trusting in God? Anything that we trust in at the expense of trusting in God becomes an idol competing with God for honor, glory, and worship due solely and exclusively to Him. We ought to plan, but our plans ought to be as unto the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 give us wise direction about this very issue.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Response:
• Are you trusting in something else more than you trust in God?

zdenek machacek jbe0icwo u0 unsplash

God is Honored- Isaiah- Week 4- Day 5

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Isaiah 23:17-18

Explanation:
Isaiah continues the prostitute metaphor in these verses. At the end of this time of desolation Tyre will be recognized again by the nations. She will begin again to make a profit, and do business with “all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.” God is going to use her newly accumulated wealth for His honor and for His purposes. Instead of being used to oppress God’s people, it will be used to supply God’s people.

This serves as a reminder to the people of Judah that they need not prostitute themselves with the practices of the pagan nations around them. Jehovah God will provide for them. He will take care of them. They need to not envy the nations of the world that obtain wealth in ways that dishonors God. God is honored by obedience, and He honors those who are obedient to him.

Application:
These principles apply to us. We can begin to think that there is some disadvantage to living righteously when we see evil people prospering. We must remember that God will ultimately honor Christ’s obedience who offered His life for us. When we trust in Christ alone for salvation, God justifies us. There are blessings that come with obedience. We must trust God by being obedient even when it costs us in the short term. There will be blessings in eternity for those who put their trust in the omnipotent, sovereign God of the universe.

Response:
• Is there a pattern in your life of living like those who do not trust God?
• In what ways does your life show that you trust God and want to honor Him?

tingey injury law firm venb0ddegze unsplash

God Judges- Isaiah- Week 3- Day 5

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 7:16-17

Explanation:
God explains that the sign of this child and his age will indicate His timing for judgement on Syria and Ephraim. He also explains that this judgement will not just be for Ahaz’s enemies. But the judgement will be for Him as well. (Verse 17). Interestingly the thing that Ahaz was trusting in instead of God was the king of Assyria. We know that Ahaz was willing to change the altar (2 Kings 16:10-12) and elements of the temple (2 Kings 16:16-18) to make the king of Assyria happy. He was willing to dishonor God by making appeasement for this pagan king. God tells Ahaz that the king in which he trusted would eventually be what God used to judge the nation for their sins.

Application:
It is often the case that God uses the things that we worship other than him to bring about our own discipline. Sometimes God gives allows the things we worship to devour us. How many people have been consumed by sexual promiscuity, drink, and drugs? What they worship ultimately destroys them. You have heard people say to be careful what you wish for. When we trust in something other than God that can become our undoing.

God can be trusted, and when we trust in something else the consequences can be devastating.

Response:
• What are you trusting in? Are you putting your confidence in God?
• Is there any false idols in your life that are limiting your trust and dependence on God?