Relying on Horses?

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Scripture

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!
(Isaiah 31:1 NASB)

 

Observation


The military strength of the day was found in horses and chariots. How was any country expected to succeed in battle if they did not have horses and chariots? Of course it was also necessary to have men who could handle the horses and the chariots and so a leader wanted numerous horsemen as well. The problem was that the Israelites had gone to other nations to get these instruments of war. God had promised that he would take care of them and yet, they did not have enough faith to believe and trust in him. Instead they made alliances with other lands so that they would be strong in human eyes. Not only did they make alliances with other countries, they specifically went to Egypt to get horses and chariots. Egypt -- the land from which they had escaped!!! They were returning to those who had enslaved them and asking them for help instead of looking to God.

 

Application


This is a sad indictment on the Israelites, but also on us today. Are we relying on horses -- even in a metaphorical sense? In other words, are we constantly looking for earthly solutions to the problems which we may be facing. God has said, "Come to me!" Sadly, we respond like Naaman who thought that was too simple to do what God had told him -- to go and dip in the Jordan River. He wanted to be told something bigger, more grand, but this just seemed far too simple. His servant had to encourage him -- "why don't you just try it!" He did -- and he was completely healed. But this is the way that God works. He works in a way in which he will get all of the glory for what is accomplished. Yes, God could use a small dirty river to heal a man. Yes, God can help a nation go to war without the horses and chariots from Egypt. Yes, God can help us in life without all the trappings which we think we may need.

This journey with God is one in which we experience his help and his presence on a daily level, each and every single step of the way. There are times when we will be tempted to run to Egypt for help. We will think that we need to figure out earthly/human ways in which to solve our problems. God has better plans!!! We don't need a horse -- we need him. It's time for us to stop looking back to Egypt. It's time for us to stop looking to the things of this world for solutions and to seek the face of God. Whenever we go after the things of this world, we take our eyes off of him. if we are to be a reflection of him to our world -- how can we reflect him if we are not facing him? This is the trick of the enemy -- to distract us and to keep us from our destiny with God. No horse will help us win -- only God. Don't rely on anything else.

 

Prayer


Lord, today I want to rely on you -- and you alone. Thank you for your faithfulness and your leading in all aspects of life. May you receive the glory for all that you do. Amen.

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