Where Do You Place Your Trust?
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help
and rely on horses,
who trust in chariots because they are many
and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
or consult the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1)
Where do you turn to in your time of need?
The Israelites were facing an impending disaster. The Assyrian army threatened to take over their land, instilling dread into the hearts of God’s people. They were left with a significant choice: where would they turn to find a sense of security?
Would they turn to external things, human reason or logic to make their decisions? Or would they dare to take a leap of faith and seek the God who had sustained them?
Unfortunately, the Israelites sought consolation in their own efforts. Scripture reveals that they made an alliance with the Egyptians (who had previously enslaved them). The people of God trusted in horses and chariots, a phrase referencing that they had chosen to depend wholly on military power for their salvation.
It appears logical at first glance. There was an impending threat of being taken over, so the Israelites made steps toward arming their territory.
It would make sense if they were left to their own devices, but they were not. They did not have to be their own providers. The Israelites were people of the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth. He could do more for them in a moment than they could strive to attain in all their lives.
So God corrected them, saying through the prophet Isaiah,
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1)
The Lord longed to gather His children and for them to find rest and trust in His protective care.
The Israelite’s attempt at self-sufficiency was a far cry from the type of relationship King David had with YAHWEH centuries before. He wrote songs proclaiming His trust in the Sovereign Lord, as the Bible states:
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
Though King David is historically known for being quite successful in battle, he knew the true Source of his victories. David sought refuge in God and gave Him all the glory for every victory he won.
As believers, we might look at this story and be puzzled by Israel’s response. God was leading them and had clearly shown miraculous signs that proved He was more than capable of watching over them.
But are we so different than them?
Where do you place our trust? How often do we turn to other sources of security in times of distress or try to fix things based on our own understanding rather than bring everything to God first? That might include placing our trust in success, finances, or jobs or even elevating people to a place they were never intended to be.
While we have personal responsibility, and indeed, there are times that we must rely on other people, our priority as believers should always be to seek the loving hand of our Heavenly Father. We pray to Him first and then follow in obedience. As opposed to acting without His guidance and then praying He blesses our work.
We were made to seek Him first, trusting that He alone can sustain us throughout every season.
Blessings,
