Isaiah 31:6-9 – Trust in Jehovah
These who had not put their trust in him, but rather in Egypt or had put their trust in other things, were called to repent. Why? Because ultimately, putting trust in anyone or anything else than the triune God through Jesus Christ is idolatry. We think of idols as being little statues made of gold and silver, or clay, or carved wood. But there are all sorts of things that even long ago and still today entice our hearts away from full allegiance, full commitment to Jehovah.
We read here in verses 8 and 9 that if they wouldn’t repent, God would force them to repentance with shame. God yet claims Jerusalem. And He says, ‘if you people will not put your trust in me, I will return you to myself. I will keep hold of you. I will drag you back, and I will make you ashamed by showing you that it is not by the sword of man, not by the military force of Egypt, or anything you can muster together. I will deliver from Assyria.’ And that’s exactly what God did. For a little time, at least outwardly, Judah turned to God. God would bring them to repentance. They would see that He, not their allies, not their idols, He is the one who drove away the Assyrians. And in fact, by His grace, He reserved to Himself many who were not merely Israel after the flesh, but who were the true Israel of God. They were strengthened, even though they went through the same affliction. Doubtless some of the true Israel of God died in the Assyrian invasion. Many of the true Israel of God were trapped inside Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege. They went through the desperate thirst; they went through the deepening hunger. They went through the fear and the terror. But God used it to make them more godly. God used it to make them more holy. God used it to further their bonds of trust in Him. It’s a certainty that if you’re in Jesus Christ, you will have trouble. You are not delivered from trouble. What you are delivered from is lasting trouble, everlasting trouble. You can continue to trust in the Lord as you repent of your sin more and more, as you more and more fully turn to Jesus Christ, with the assurance that you are being fitted for heaven.
Questions
- What are the people told to do?
- How does God use trouble in the believer’s life?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.