But For The Grace of God, Go I

O. T. #1610 "But For The Grace of God, Go I"
Jan. 20, 2020
Isaiah 31

LET IT GLOW

But for the grace of God, go I. How many times have we said or thought that when seeing? If God had not opened our eyes to our sin, we would be neck deep in it. Perhaps, if He had not delivered us, we would be in a live style of immorality. Or maybe we wonder where we would be if God had not intervened or saved us. What if...

This chapter is the fifth and last woe God sends out, this time to the compromisers. Judah's misguided attempt was to seek an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. It was a bad idea since Egypt was weak and had nothing to offer Judah in terms of any real military support. Actually, it was a deliberate attempt to avoid obeying God and trusting in His deliverance.

They do not seek the LORD. (verse 1)

Isn't it pitiful that Judah relied upon men, and not God. We know that it was only by the grace of God that He did not allow the Assyrians to wipe Judah off the map. But, Egypt was so weak that when Judah leaned on them for help, the would both all together. (verse 3)

Let's not be too quick to judge Judah. We could be in the same boat, because everyone, in some time in their life, has made a decision based on the flesh and not seeking God's will. Then we reap the consequences of our sin.
We can thank God when He has rescued us from our selves.

LET IT GROW

Jerusalem's only hope in this desperate situation, for Assyria was close to the wall, was to repent and return to the Lord. If they had any hope of a future, it was in turning again to Jehovah. We know King Hezekiah did such that, for the Assyrian army was wiped out one night by the angel of the Lord, not the armies of Judah. (Here is that word that I love, discomfited, which means cause to faint, in verse 8.
Isn't He a good, good Heavenly Father!

God remained faithful to His covenant. (verse 5)  To David, God promised he would always have an heir on the throne of Israel if the remained faithful to God. When the Lord declares it, it's as good as done.

Are we faithful to God?

LET IT GO

Repent and trust God.
Live by faith, not by sight.