This morning, Garry spoke from Isaiah 33:1-6. Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of several kings. Originally, when he started prophesying, the country was prosperous and stable, but over the years, Assyria rose in power and Egypt’s power waned, leaving Israel and Judah feeling vulnerable and afraid. Assyria’s reputation was for brutal violence (anyone who opposed the regime ended up being flayed), and God’s people tended to want to ally with other countries rather than relying on God’s help (see Is 30:1-5).
This period of tumult, with new changes and people afraid, is not so different from our present times. Terrorism is rife in the world, with local cities targeted even in the UK. The persecution of Christians in some countries (e.g. Sudan, Nigeria) is rising, and in Europe, there is turmoil with Russia and continuing Brexit negotiations. Isaiah’s reminder that knowing God is the key to the treasures of God is vital.
We need to acknowledge God as our…
- foundation. He is the One who is in sovereign control of the world, no matter what rulers and politicians may think. (Ps 2:1-4)
- salvation. God is able to rescue us ‘from out of’ situations (see Ps 18:2, Heb 5:7) and is our rescuer and deliverer.
- wisdom. The wisdom of God is revealed in Christ (1 Cor 2:6-9) and given to us when we ask God for it. (James 1:5)
- knowledge. God knows the end from the beginning (Is 46:8-10) and can direct us. He wants people to come to know Him and to know the truth (1 Tim 2:4), for the truth can set us free. (John 8:32)
Jeremiah reminded the exiles to seek the peace and prosperity of the city in which they were exiled. (Jer 29:4-7) We are called to ‘love where we live’, to pray for our local area and for those in authority over us (see 2 Tim 2:1-5). We may not always see the bigger picture of what God is doing, but we can be secure in the knowledge that He is in control. God’s got it all in hand. Our part is to pray and love the area in which God has placed us and to trust God’s sovereign hand in our lives, no matter how uncertain the times may seem.
