July 17, 2021: SOAP #4244:  Isaiah 29-31; James 1

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah (NIV) 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the LORD. 2 Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked, against those who help evildoers. 3 But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.

OBSERVATION: As I read these verses, I wonder what really bothered the Lord?  Was He upset that His people called to Egypt for help?  Yes, but even more, I think He was hurt that they did not call upon Him?  Here was an opportunity for them to allow God to show them His love, but they looked elsewhere.  Here was an opportunity to demonstrate their love for God and their faith in what He could do. 

They needed horses and many chariots, and strong horsemen.  It seemed that God did not have what they needed, so they looked where they could find what they thought they needed!   They found help in Egypt, but they offended the source of their true strength!  They should have remembered that God could rescue them without using horses and chariots. 

APPLICATION:  When I am looking for help, I need to be careful not to offend my Lord!  When I take my needs to Him, He may use someone to supply for my need, but when they are responding to Him, He gets the glory.  God may send me to someone, (like Elijah to the widow woman in 1Kings 17) but He will do it specifically, and their willingness to help is proof that God was involved in the sending. 

PRAYER: Lord, when it comes to providing, you are the champion!   I know you respond to faith, and I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me grow in faith.  I trust you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making Friends for Time and Eternity!