Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the abundance of chariots and in the large number of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel, and they do not seek the Lord’s help. But He also is wise and brings disaster. He does not go back on what He says. He will rise up against the house of wicked men and against the allies of the evildoers. Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the Lord raises His hand to strike, the helper will stumble and the one who is helped will fall; both will perish together. For this is what the Lord said to me: As a lion or young lion growls over its prey when a band of shepherds is called out against it, and is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their noise, so the Lord of Hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and in its hill. Like hovering birds, so the Lord of Hosts will protect Jerusalem – by protecting it, He will rescue it, by sparing it, He will deliver it. Isaiah 31:1-5
My words…
Praise
Through Your prophet, Isaiah, You reveal Yourself as a fighter, a protector, a rescuer. What a comfort! You are a lion and a hovering bird, protecting those who fear You and call on Your name. Your love comes with a protection plan. You love me, so You pierce the ear drums of my enemies with Your growl. Their impotent shouts cannot withstand Your roar. You hover over me when I am wounded, Your thundering wings melt the hearts of my attackers. As I would guard my own children from danger, so You guard me. You are the Holy One, and I am whole in body and spirit because of You.
Prayer for me
I strive each day to trust in Your wisdom and might as I tread this earthly path with You. But You have seen me stray from the path and jump into my chariots. Chariots are powerful vehicles, difficult to control. I’ve seen Ben-Hur. My bootstrap chariot is well-used, for that is the one I drive the most. In that chariot, I say, “Watch me! I can do this all by myself.” Something a four-year-old would say. Then there’s my denial chariot. I ride this one when I reason nothing is wrong. I have pillows in that one for extra comfort on those long rides. I usually end up steering this one right into a hole, then I figure out something is indeed wrong in my heart. Through the love and guidance of Your Spirit, I have not used my possessions chariot in a while. You have taught me that my stuff is just…stuff. I can’t depend on it for anything. I look to Your strength and wisdom, so I will burn my chariots and set the horses free.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I depend on men and not You, God, and what is flesh and not Spirit. These times always follow periods of weak faith and times of waiting on You. Forgive me for turning my back on You and heading to the chariot stable.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who stand alone, or as a church, or as a nation, that they will look to the Holy One of All Earth for help. Hover over the weak churches where Your Son is the Head – the churches in oppressed nations where the enemy terrorizes and scatters. Growl at those who shout intimidating messages of impotent gods in order to infect Your church with doubt. Your protection emboldens Your church and frustrates it enemies. Never stop!
Thank You
Thank You for fighting for me. I know the battles take place in a realm I cannot see, but I know they occur. It is You who fights my battles against forces I could not withstand on my own. I lay down at your feet my most sincere gratitude.
More praise
You created me with a will of my own, to make my own choices, for that is the only way for praise to be real. So I praise You as my God and my Protector because I want to, because I choose to. And isn’t it just like You to desire my praise and my worship because You know that in praising You, I am blessed, I am filled, I am changed. And it just makes me want to praise You more!
