July 2, 2026 - Isaiah 28-31

The people of Jerusalem had made lies their refuge (they trusted in all the wrong things) and in falsehoods (heresies and idols) they had taken shelter (28:15).  In Daniel’s sermon from Psalm 16 (as I read Isaiah, I find myself going back and reflecting on his words), a couple weeks ago, he warned about trusting in the wrong things.  The people were trusting in all the wrong things.  Through Isaiah, the Lord spoke about stubborn children “who set out to go down to Egypt,  without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!” (30:2)  How foolish to place their hopes in Egypt rather than God!  And again:  “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 do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!” (31:1)  However, the Lord said to them, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:  ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste’” (28:16).  That sure foundation is the promises of God as embodied in Jesus Christ.  Rather than running frantically here and there looking in all the wrong places and trusting in all the wrong things, the wise person calmly rests in the salvation found in Jesus.  Let the storms of life rage around this one; still he trusts in the Lord and knows peace.

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand;

The shadow of a mighty rock

Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

A rest upon the way,

From burns beneath the noontide heat

And burdens of the day.

O safe and happy shelter!

O refuge tried and sweet!   --Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1868)