Some Trust in Chariots and
Some in Horses . . .
"Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in
Egypt will be afraid and put to shame. In that day the people who live on
this coast will say, 'See what has happened to those we relied on, those
we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can
we escape?'" (Isa 20:5-6)
The stage is set in Israel. Rather than to
turn back to God when trouble is overcoming them, the northern kingdom has
gone to the Egyptians and to the Cushites for help against their enemies.
And Egypt and Cush, apparently, agree to help Israel. But then we come
across this particular passage in the book of Isaiah, prophesying the
downfall of both Egypt and Cush--Why? To teach Israel an
important lesson! They refused to trust in the Lord, and right before
their eyes, they are forced to witness the destruction of those in whom
they had put their trust! Trusting God, and GOD ALONE, is VITAL,
my friends! It is for this very reason that David gives us the following
piece of advice: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we
trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Ps 20:7)
But let's take this particular story a step
farther. Why were Egypt and Cush the subject of God's punishment? Sure,
they had done wickedly, but so had many other nations not
specifically mentioned in prophecy. Could it have been that it was
because of their entrance into the ungodly union with Israel? Some may
say this is rather harsh, after all, Egypt and Cush were just offering
brotherly support. But is this all they were doing? Could it be that
they were also held somewhat responsible for Israel's backsliding? What
if they had said "no" to Israel? Israel might have had no where to turn,
but to God!
I would like to propose that when we help
those who are seeking help, pointing them to ourselves, or to other human
institutions rather than to God, we could be bringing down the wrath of
God upon ourselves for leading others astray! Let us always, in our
dealings with others, attempt to point them to Jesus, and to Jesus alone,
for He is the only source of true strength. Let us make
great efforts to keep them from leaning on human understanding and power,
for just as Egypt and Cush were themselves overtaken, human understanding
and power will always lead us astray! "Look, the Lamb of God!"
(John 1:36). He is the One who "will give you rest!" (Matt
11:28) And above all, let us all place our COMPLETE trust in God!
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of
the LORD our God." (Ps 20:7)
Love in Christ,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart,
Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets (
www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/ ), Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org ,