“Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool” (Isaiah 22:9).
TEXT — Isaiah 22:1-10
Message
January 30, 2021 marked the first anniversary of the declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Thus far, the world has been no match for SARS-CoV-2, with about seven hundred million cases and nearly seven million deaths. The United States is home to most of the world’s best hospitals, yet it was among the world’s poorest performers in addressing the pandemic, with more than one million deaths as at the end of 2022. The best of man’s efforts pale away in the face of devastating crises.
The text highlights Israel’s inadequate and feeble efforts at defending Jerusalem and other cities against the rampaging armies of the Chaldeans. They relied on the armour house of the forest of Lebanon, which King Solomon built (1 Kings 7:2-5). They used a great amount of cedar wood from Lebanon for the pillars, beams and roofing material. They numbered the houses in Jerusalem, fortified the defensive walls and channelled the water of the old pool into the city, but did not look to God, their Maker for help. They failed woefully, as Judah and Israel were carried away captives.
Man’s best defences can prove inadequate during times of crisis. Just like the best hospitals could not save us during the COVID-19 pandemic, relying on our human efforts and relegating God to the background will always prove inadequate and fatal. Countries in the West who are economically buoyant are more drawn away from God than the poor third world countries. Africa, with her poor medical facilities, was predicted to become a graveyard during the pandemic. The poor people prayed and looked up to God, and they fared better.
This does not suggest that we should just pray and refuse to put security measures in place to take care of ourselves. But we need to put more trust in God, on whose hands our lives depend. Prayer and faith in God have no alternatives.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
6 comments
Defending Jerusalem, building fortresses around it in self struggles without seeking the face of the Lord nor His help would result in failure. It is trying to build without the builder. Healing without the healer.
Raising a child without the giver of life. Fighting without your commander etc.
Our defensive efforts must begin with God, continue with God. Every step of our endeavour must be taken with the Lord’s guidance. Don’t bring Him into your plans, begin with HIM.
I need no other argument, nor any other plea.
It’s enough that Jesus died for me. He is my all in all. How can I start or continue or end without my Saviour Jesus Christ.
Defending Jerusalem, building fortresses around it in self struggles without seeking the face of the Lord nor His help would result in failure. It is trying to build without the builder. Healing without the healer.
Raising a child without the giver of life. Fighting without your commander etc.
Our defensive efforts must begin with God, continue with God. Every step of our endeavour must be taken with the Lord’s guidance. Don’t bring Him into your plans, begin with HIM.
God is great and greatly to be praised
I am blessed. My help is in God.
I need no other argument, nor any other plea.
It’s enough that Jesus died for me. He is my all in all. How can I start or continue or end without my Saviour Jesus Christ.
My all is in you LORD
My hope is in God He is my all in all. Without Him l am just but zero l mean zero.