Protected

Isaiah 15 – 19
 
Isaiah 16:4-6 Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer. The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. 5 In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it – one from the house of David – one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. 6 We have heard of Moab’s pride – her overweening pride and conceit, her pride and her insolence – but her boasts are empty.
 
THE prophets can be difficult to read as they speak God’s very profound judgment against one nation after the other. Keep in mind Isaiah is proclaiming these things at different times in his life. Again, some of the prophecies speak to a future some one or two centuries ahead, some to the near future. This passage relates to the events soon to happen.
    When you were going to school – perhaps you still are – and you saw a bully abuse someone, what did you do? Perhaps you walked away, feeling sorry for the victim and wondering, “What should I do?” Or maybe you were relieved, “I’m glad it’s not me.” God wants you to know he desire is to protect you from life’s circumstances that can seem to bully you, to cause you to feel weak and vulnerable.
    So many different troubles affect humanity. For example, you or someone you know may have been displaced because of war, natural disaster, economic breakdown or relationship problems. Many diseases affect our bodies and discourage us. Some of you are challenged for a daily meal, bullied by hunger. Indeed, a groaning world is full of oppression.
    Whatever the reason you or someone is challenged, your call as a Christian is to know the Lord is your help and our shield. (Psalm 13:20).
    As Isaiah wrote this, war between Israel (the northern Kingdom) and Judah (the southern Kingdom) had caused people from Moab to the east of Israel/Judah, to become fugitives. They were victims of their neighbors’ war.
    God stepped in and said through Isaiah that he would establish a king to protect the fugitives. He would send the aggressor Israel away, and peace will come to Judah. His people in Judah are to shelter the war’s victims from Moab. God’s mercies extend to the entire world. He demonstrates his help to all.
    Are you feeling as a fugitive, bullied by circumstances out of your control? Are you wondering where you’ll find God’s help? Then begin with faith in the “shelter-provider”, the LORD God Almighty. In love, he established an eternal King to shelter you from even the Evil One, the most destructive bully of all. The LORD God will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber. (Psalms 121:3)
 
Bullies lose control over your life when you confront them with faith in God’s protection.