Let's go?!
For a brief period, Ethiopia ruled over Egypt. During that time, the Assyrian Empire was expanding and threatening the surrounding nations. In 2 Kings 19, Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia, sought to draw Judah into an alliance against Assyria. Faced with overwhelming odds, Hezekiah turned to Isaiah, the Lord's messenger, rather than relying on human strength.
Isaiah reminded the people: "For so the Lord said to me, "I will take My rest, And I will look from My dwelling place Like clear heat in sunshine, Like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest." For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect And the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks And take away and cut down the branches."Isaiah 18:4-5
Ethiopia was eager to act. Others attempted to undermine Judah's confidence in waiting on the Lord (2 Kings 19:10). But Hezekiah chose to trust. Instead of rushing into an alliance, he sought the Lord and waited on Him, even while Assyria appeared to grow stronger.
How often do we do the opposite? When pressure rises, we feel the need to fix things immediately, push harder, or rely on our own strength. Yet Hezekiah showed that sometimes the greatest act of faith is not moving faster, but waiting on the Lord.
What situation are you feeling pressured to handle right now? Have you brought it before the Lord? Will you move ahead in your own strength, or will you wait for His?
"Let's go!" is often our first response. But perhaps the better question is, "Will we wait on the Lord?"
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.