Chariots or the Holy One of Israel?

Where do you turn for help when things get tough?

What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help,
      trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers
   and depending on the strength of human armies
      instead of looking to the Lord,
      the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 31:1 NLT)

In the book of Isaiah, God spends a lot of time calling the Israelites back to Himself. He also clearly lays out what is going to happen before that return occurs because of their repeated sin.

You know which sin I’m talking about.

The sin of turning away from God and trusting in other men, countries, or false gods for their protection, salvation, and hope. To solve their problems.

It’s a sin that we (including me) are too familiar with.

Perhaps we don’t look to nations and armies for help, but there are things we put our trust in first when life gets tough.

Money

The ability to work hard(er)

Logic and intelligence

Smart people around us

The modern medical system

And more

We cozy up with these modern chariots thinking that the way to reverse the downward trend in our lives is one of these means.

The longer our current season wears on and we wait, the more I find myself looking to other means to get back on our feet.

Means other than God.

Yet, if God is still God (and He is), and He is leading us (and He is), then why do I do this?

Why do we do this?

Why do I place all this responsibility in my hands or someone else’s hands?

In my life I find that when I place my trust in something other than God, I end up with more stress and pressure instead of less. That’s not good for me, my family, or my relationship with God.

Yet, when I put my trust squarely in God, He is faithful. Not because I deserve it, but because He is God. It’s not always easy to put trust in God, especially when it seems counter-intuitive, but it is the right thing to do.

For me and for you.

The ironic thing is that He will often work through these various ways to meet our needs. But, isn’t it a smarter idea to let Him mobilize these forces than for us to force it?

No matter how long it takes, I do not want to look to anyone else other than the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel.

I don’t know what you are dealing with right now, but where are you placing your trust?

Later in chapter 31, God tells Isaiah,

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will hover over Jerusalem
      and protect it like a bird protecting its nest.
   He will defend and save the city;
      he will pass over it and rescue it.”

If God says that He will protect and care for Jerusalem, can we not also trust that He will care for and protect His children?

So what will it be? The chariots of man or the Lord God Almighty?