By David ReayTuesday 3 Aug 2021LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. (NLT)
Back in the days these words were written, Egypt was the superpower of the region. The people of God were always in peril from competing empires who coveted their land. The temptation was to get Egypt to come to their aid. Of course this would mean subservience to the Egyptians but that seemed better than any alternative.
Not much danger of us in our day literally looking to Egypt for help. But the general principle is clear. Our first priority in times of threat or danger is to look to our God. This does not mean we turn aside from receiving practical advice or help, but we seek such help under the wise direction of our God.
I may be threatened by financial losses. It is right to seek wise advice, but only in the context of prayerful dependence on God. It is right to carefully manage my money but only if I don’t see it as the source of my ultimate security. Many institutions and people can come to our aid at times, but institutions and people have their limits.
We may have to ask ourselves what “chariots” we turn to in times of crisis. Whatever they may be, they can be used by God but are no substitutes for him.
Blessings
David