Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Up to Your Neck
Today’s Verse:
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. ~Isaiah 8:8
The Bible gives us the real accounts of people like us who felt like they were near drowning in problems. Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” They experience what “when it rains, it pours” means. Another description we use to describe our problems is being up to our neck in it. We barely have our head above water. What do you do when find yourself up to your neck in difficulties?
We see the relief.
“Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son.” The nations of Israel and Syria formed an alliance to fight and conquer Judah. The king of Judah was very anxious about this alliance. God sent Isaiah to tell him that God would raise up the nation of Assyria from the north to conquer their alliance. The Lord describes His protection as “the waters of Shiloah that go softly.” Trusting in God allows us to lie beside the still waters and take comfort in His love and faithfulness to us. There is total relief when we rest in the Lord’s mercies and care.
We see the refusal.
There were some people in Judah (including King Ahaz) who made up their mind that it was better to join up with the Assyrians for their safety. It did not matter to them that the Assyrians were a hostile, pagan nation. These people decided that it was better to trust in chariots and horses than in the living God. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” Trusting in the nations for help would be the downfall of these people. God said, “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces.” God said this three times. We must be careful of trusting our own judgment instead of trusting in the Lord.
We see the reversal.
“And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.” God told them that if they trusted in Assyria, He would allow the Assyrians to invade Judah as well, and they would enter in like a fast, raging, overflowing river. The waters would rise so quickly that Judah would be up to their necks in water. This would be a reversal of God’s blessing and protection that He had promised. Are you up to your neck in worry? Are you up to your neck in sadness? Are you up to your neck in sin? It is not until we are up to our neck and barely keeping our head above water that we awaken to how deeply we are in trouble.
We see the remedy.
First, have faith in God’s Word for your life. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” Second, don’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly. “For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people….” Third, don’t let your fear of man overcome your fear of God. “Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Fourth, trust God completely. “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Fifth, let God deal with your adversities. “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” Last, remember that God is with you. “…For God is with us.” Having faith in God for everything in our life will help us from getting up to our neck in trouble. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Have a faith-resolved God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 21-24
Comments