SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 36
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, until I come and take you to a land like your own–a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards. [Isaiah 36:16-17]
The commander of the Assyrian army is taunting God’s people, mocking them and their weak defenses, their hope in Egypt and in God – he even offers them 2000 horses to help them in the battle.
He speaks in Hebrew so that he can undermine their confidence, weaken their resolve to resist and instead to surrender to him.
And imagine how tempting it would be to “make peace with him and come out”, given all the wonderful things he was promising to them.
What a choice – trust God against impossible odds, or trust the king’s commander.
Ahh, but was the promise as heavenly as it sounded.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” [Matthew 4:8-10]
Hmm, this sounds very similar; the enemy finds Jesus in His weakness and offers Him a shortcut to happiness and joy – “All this I will give you!”
What an choice – follow God to the cross or follow Satan to instant power and success!
Ahh, but was the promise as heavenly as it sounded.
Today in my prayer time I renewed my commitment to resist the enemy and follow Jesus.
And believe me, the devil is taunting me, mocking me just like the king’s commander.
As I made my commitment this morning, I sensed something like this in my own mind – On what are you basing this confidence of yours? [Isaiah 36:4]
But my confidence lies in this very situation: I made the commitment this morning even before I read Isaiah 36, and I turned to Matthew 4 even before I new it related to today’s reading.
To me it seems clear that the Lord was preparing me, and gave me today’s reading to strengthen me against the anticipated struggle.
Yes, the enemy is going to come at me and mock me, point out my weakness and my track record of failure, and entice me with sweet promises of easy happiness.
And I am choosing to respond like Jesus – not like the people, in silence – but like Jesus, with God’s promise against the mocker’s lies – Away from me Satan, the Lord is my strength and shield, He is my confidence and my hope!
Yes, I know I am weak, and my track record is pathetic… but the Lord is strong, the Lord has defeated the enemy and through Him I will overcome!
On what are you basing this confidence of yours? [Isaiah 36:4]
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. [Psalms 71:5]
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for today’s bible passage, for speaking to me in my own situation. May I resist the enemy’s lies, and stand firm in Your strength, Your hope, Your promises!
Against all odds, in whom do I trust? The king of Assyria had great pride in his boast about to take the city. And for the people of God, it must have been frightening. Overpowering. Yet they remained steadfast. They did not say a word as they were commanded to do. And this too aided the boast of the king of Assyria – to become more puffed up.
In God do I trust. And there are times in the face of opposition to remain silent as this was the case here or I am reminded of the children walking around the wall of Jericho in silence. Just the presence of the Almighty God in and through His people. He decides when it is the time to speak and even shout for the strength of the Lord our God is always there. His presence will be shown. Remember David and Goliath? God provides and strengthens His people for the battle. Wait upon the Lord. Go with God. He will provide me with all that I need to stand up for Jesus also today.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.