Who Do We Turn To?

Who Do We Turn To?

In times of distress, the kings of Judah and Israel often turned to foreign nations—Egypt and Assyria—for military or political alliances. Their existence was under threat and this seemed like the most “logical” solution. But these alliances showed that they hadn’t gotten to know God—they didn’t trust Him.

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” Isa. 31:1.

“Who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore the strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and trust in the shadow of Egypt shall be your humiliation.” Isa. 30:2-3.

“Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense—they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.” Hos. 7:11.

It was great unfaithfulness that they didn’t reckon with God’s power in their troubles. They didn’t, “look to the Holy One of Israel” or “ask His advice.” The result was that they came under the power of the neighboring nations and eventually turned to foreign gods, forsook the Lord and were destroyed by the enemy. God didn’t even come into the equation.

When David was king, he turned to God in all of his trials regardless of the distress, the threat, or the pressure of the battle.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Ps. 18:6.

David developed an unwavering trust in God through each of his trials. There was no plan B in case God failed, because he was fully convinced that God would deliver him from his enemies. Before he was anointed king, God considered him a man after His own heart and wanted him to rule over His people. In today’s terms, he became God’s friend.

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Ps. 18:1-2.

We, too, can experience intense pressure and deep personal need. In our distress, we are tempted to seek help and relief from “Egypt”—from earthly sources. But instead, we can “look to the Holy One of Israel” and “ask His advice”! We can bring our needs to Him and get to know His will in our times of trial. By doing so, we can be part of a new generation of men and women after God’s own heart, who place our hope in His salvation.

“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name.” Ps. 18:49.