Daily Manna

Key Verse

“And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest” (Isaiah 22:8).

TEXT — Isaiah 22:1-14

Message

The Pentagon is regarded as one of the world’s most secure buildings. As the iconic representation of the U.S. defence programme in Washington, DC, the Pentagon is one of the nation’s most guarded structures. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) safeguards the building with robust security measures, including advanced protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Strict security protocols are in place, requiring thorough screening for all entrants and prohibiting photography for confidentiality. But on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the building. All 64 people on board the plane, plus another 125 people in the Pentagon, were killed. It shows the limit of man’s abilities to protect himself.

Part of the reason Israel ignored the warnings of the prophet Isaiah was their belief in the defences put in place against any external aggression. Why would they need to seek God when they could defend themselves? They defiantly trusted in their amour house in the forest of Lebanon, built by Solomon. They broke down some of the houses in Jerusalem to fortify the walls around the city, dug a ditch between the two walls to channel the water of the old pool for use in times of war, and made darts and war instruments in abundance. Satisfied by the integrity of their defences, they ignored Isaiah’s prophecy of judgment through an invasion by a foreign nation.

People who ignore God’s word because they rely on their military or economic might should think again. No one is safe anywhere. We spend a lot on security gadgets, close-circuit cameras, electric wire fences, armed guards, etc. Yet, our societies are not safe from armed robbers, kidnappers, and terrorists. Apart from the physical threats around us, we have spiritual threats also, which can be even more dangerous. Nowhere can we be safe in our present world without God. Israel learned this too late as the Chaldeans swooped upon them, overwhelmed their defences, and took thousands of them into captivity in Babylon.

The only sure defence is our God. Those who trust in Him are like the mountains, which cannot be removed but abide forever. God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Let us put self-confidence aside and hand over our security to the One who alone can save us in times of need.

Thought for the day

Better to run into the name of the Lord (a strong tower) than into the best fortified worldly castle.

• Bible
• in one year
• JOSHUA 5 – 7 (Read By Alexander Scourby)