Words of Wisdom #296: There is Only One Relationship that can Rescue You!
In the year that the commander-in-chief, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it—during that time the Lord had spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, take off your sackcloth and remove the sandals from your feet,” and he did so, going naked and barefoot—the Lord said, “As My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks, to Egypt’s shame. Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. And the inhabitants of this coastland will say on that day: Look, this is what has happened to those we relied on and fled to for help to rescue [us] from the king of Assyria! Now, how will we escape?” Isaiah 20:1-6 (HCSB)
Isaiah had the task to share the testimony of events that the Lord orchestrated to say: “Look, this is what has happened to those we relied on and fled to for help to rescue [us] from the king of Assyria! Now, how will we escape?” The king of Assyria represents the trials, tribulation and times of testing that the Lord allows to happen to us to strengthen our reliance upon Him. However, many of us will look to all other alliances in this world to rescue us. Friends, family, and even foreign resources cannot save us from these challenging times. Why? When God acts, His purposes are for us to recognize His love for us. Don’t run from Him during these tough times, but run towards Him and see how He will respond. The Lord’s people in Isaiah’s time paid a big price when they felt God’s ways and His promises for covenant care were not enough to satisfy their concern. We too can feel God is not working fast enough for our liking and we try to resolve the problems we face by seeking another rescuer to come to our help. However, what usually happens? We find only temporary relief and discover soon we have not been rescued as we had hoped, and matters may be worse.
The Lord is not out to get us for His pleasure! We are not His pawns in some gambit that amuses. The Lord is a heavenly Father that loves us and His discipline has but one purpose: restoration of our relationship with Him. That restoration begins when we trust the Lord can and will rescue us out of the tough times. When the rescue comes – our faith in Him has been strengthened as a result. And, our relationship is stronger.
Many are facing really difficult times in our communities, and it is hard for a lot of families to find hope in a weak job market, tight financial era, and when the bills come due, they are finding out their choices that were made when money and job security was prevalent are now having harsh consequences. Government is not the answer! Until our Nation chooses to return back to God’s will, God’s ways, and God’s wisdom according to God’s Word, our government only is a stumbling block that fuels the problems that we all are dealing with. We need to confess our wrong ways and seek God’s blessings again, and then we will find our rescue is near at hand.
Coach
Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me. “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. You have heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me. On the contrary, [I am going away] so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do. John 14:23-31 (HCSB)