Bible Reading: Isaiah 31:1-end
“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” – Isaiah 31:1 (KJV)
When you are in need and in distress to whom and from where do you seek help? Most times due to sin when calamity and adversity come our way we turn to seek help from the land of Egypt as stated in the above scriptures. Egypt in this passage is not necessarily the physical Egypt as a nation but the house of the evildoers and them that works iniquity (Isaiah 32: 2b). It is a place of satanic wickedness and evil practice. Egypt, in reference, is the home of occult, divination, enchantment and sorcery. It is the place where the flesh holds sway and dominates. In our society it represents the house of witch doctors, witches, palm readers, diviners, people with familiar spirits, star gazers etc. It is a place where men consult in the dark. Egypt also represent a place of turning away from God. Unfortunately, these Egyptians, as represented by sorcerers, occult masters, witches and so forth are not God and can come under divine retribution themselves as stated in Isaiah 31:3 (KJV), “Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.”
Dearly beloved, your help is not in Egypt but in the LORD God as stated by King David in Psalm 121: 1-2(KJV), “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth”. It is unfortunate that because Satan has used sin to ensnare humanity, they run to creatures for help instead of the creator. This is a twisted mentality. This is an aberration and abuse of knowledge. Why should someone run to seek help against adversity and affliction from a fellowman who equally is susceptible to such calamities and cannot deliver himself. It is absurd, but that is the reality in the life of people who lack knowledge and are deep into iniquity and transgression. This is one of the reproaches of sin that carries national identity. When a nation begins to deviate substantially from God and His instructions, they are visited with the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. How the nation responds to these is of paramount importance to locating their escape. Help from Egypt will never produce solution, instead it will worsen their condition. Where do they seek help from as individuals and as a nation? The scripture says “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out them all” – Psalm 34:19 (KJV). Seeking help from God is the panacea to the healing of any nation or individuals in times of trouble.
Even when in sanctity the Lord did not promise that there will be no affliction. Affliction will come but God promised to deliver us out of them all. When we have knowledge of this we become steadfast in our trust in Him to do according to His promise. It is on these premise that the Psalmist wrote that “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”– Psalm 30:5 (KJV). My dear reader put your life in the hand of the Almighty for He alone can deliver you in times of trouble.
Prayer: Father I put my trust in you and I look up to you for my salvation.
Brother Joel Ezeugo