There is no other...

We've been reading in the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, the book of Isaiah for our Daily Walk Bible (DWB) reading and I've been struck at how Isaiah has made it clear to the nation of Israel that they have a clear choice: they can either worship and trust in "the Lord, your Holy One, Israel's Creator and King" (43:15). Or, they can worship and trust in other men/nations/militaries to save them (Isa. 31:1-9). Or, the other option is to worship and trust false idols made by human hands (40:18-20; 41:6). Like all things in life, a decision had to be made.

And for us today, that decision remains! Will we trust in our nation/government/military to save us and lead us? Or will we put our trust in the things of this world...money, power, possessions? Or will we trust in the One whom it is written: "the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding" (40:28).

If you know me, or follow this blog with any regularity, you know the decision I have made: "But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14-15).

Maybe this is simplistic, but my next decision, to put it very bluntly, is what will I do/should we do when the proverbial s&*% hits the fan?

Again, I turn to God in prayer and to his Word for we know that "the word of our God stands forever" (Isa. 40:8) and that it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

During this difficult season in my life and ministry it was, therefore, incredibly encouraging to be reminded of King Hezekiah and his prayerful actions during his hardships (see 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chron. 29-32 and Isaiah 36-39). When King Sennacherib of Assyria came to attack his nation Hezekiah "tore his clothes and put on burlap (signs of mourning) and went into the Temple of the Lord" (Isa. 37:1, 14-20); and when Hezekiah became deathly ill "he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord" (38:2-3).

In both instances God heard his prayer, saw his state, heard his plea for mercy and responded with compassion: the Assyrian army was drawn away from Jerusalem and their King was killed in battle (37:9, 36-38) and Hezekiah was given another 15 years to live because "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears" (38:5-6).

But what happens when life doesn't play out like we had hoped and prayed? When we aren't delivered from our enemies? When we aren't delivered from our cancer? When we turn our faces to the wall in prayer, like Hezekiah (38:2), and the prayers seem to bounce right off and go nowhere? What then?

As Jesus reminded us in Luke 11 we continue to ask, seek and knock trusting that God will answer in His time, and His will.

I know, easier said than done. True!

But as a Christ-follower this is what I hold onto; that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ "is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin" thus "he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf" (Hebrews 7:26, 25) on OUR BEHALF.

And so I keep going back to God's Word, and I encourage you to keep going back to God's Word. Contextually speaking, these words were for Israel, then. But they are powerful words for us today because I believe in Jesus Christ who "is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God" (Isa. 40:1).

A prophecy about Jesus - "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart" (Isa. 40:11) ...

About God - "Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who else knows the weight of the earth..." (Isa. 40:12).

"Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint" (Isa. 40:31).

"For I have chosen you ... don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God...for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer" (Isa. 41:9-14).

Again, about Jesus - "Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one...And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison..." (Isa. 42:6-7).

"I have called you be name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you..." (Isa. 43:1-2).

"From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done" (Isa. 43:13).

"You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God-there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes I, am the Lord, AND THERE IS NO OTHER SAVIOR" (Isaiah 43:10-11).