Truth in Isaiah 30: Trading False Help for Firm Hope

Enjoy this short devotional!

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The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

— Psalm 18:2 NIV

Stepping into the weighty chapter of Isaiah 30 this morning, I witnessed a Heavenly Father who cares desperately for his children. As verse 18 puts it, “the LORD longs to be gracious to his people”—if only they might turn to him and cry for his saving help. 

For that’s exactly what he wants to be for us: our saving support, our refuge, our ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) He doesn’t want his people to turn other places for help—not only because it’s ill-fitting, but because it’s illegitimate. It’s fake help. And more often than not, it’s bondage.

This kind of a situation is exactly what unfolded in chapter 30 of Isaiah as God’s people turned to Egypt’s pharaoh for support, rather than their own benevolent and steadfast King. Verse 30:12 says that they rejected the message of God and instead “relied on oppression and depended on deceit”. They forsook the true, firm refuge of God for a false rescue.

May we walk a new way: may we not fret when trouble comes because our roots are planted deeply in the salvation of the Living God. May we rest securely in our salvation—purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ—and may we hold fast to the incredible truth of Romans 5:10: if God saved us while we deemed ourselves his enemies, how much more shall his salvation be with us now that we are called his friends. (John 15:15)

May you find time to pause and consider the areas God beckons you to find refuge in him today. Blessings in Christ!