Scripture

Then the Philistines will be thrown into panic, for they counted on the power of Ethiopia and boasted of their allies in Egypt.

Observation

Isaiah was commanded by the Lord to take off his sackcloth clothing and sandals and to walk naked and barefoot for three years. This was a prophetic sign for Ethiopia and Egypt. The king of Assyria will take away the Egyptians and Assyrians as prisoners. They will walk away naked and barefoot.

The Philistines will panic because they had been boasting about their alliances with Egypt and Ethiopia. If the king of Assyria can do this to them, what will he do to the Philistines?

Application

Over and over the Bible warns us not to trust political rulers. For Israel, the warning was not to rely on their military might or their foreign allies. For us the message is the same – do not look to human powers such as governments as our source of security.

Our hope and faith must be in Christ alone. When all around is falling, He will stand firm.

The tendency is to put our trust anywhere but in God – our possessions, our job, the government, the church. Christ is our hope. Anything else is idolatry.

This does not mean that we live in our own little bubble. No, we live in society like anyone else, but our source of peace is Christ.

Prayer

Lord forgive me for trusting in false gods which cannot save me. You alone are my salvation. Amen.