[1] See also STRENGTH IN QUIETNESS, verse 7.
THE VANITY OF EARTHLY HELP IN TIME OF TRIAL,
AND THE PROFIT OF PATIENT WAITING.
xxx. 15, 16. _For thus saith the Lord God, &c._
The history of the Jews a striking proof of human depravity. That
people at once the most favoured by God, and the most obstinate in
rebellion against God. Ever hankering after some new idol, and
falling into some new sin. Burden of the prophets was to reprove
their pride and hardness. Isaiah no exception. In this chapter there
is a solemn warning, the last remonstrance previous to Sennacherib
and his army coming upon them.
First, _the insufficiency of all human dependencies._ Chronic failing
of the Jews was dependence on the arm of flesh. In national
difficulties they went to Egypt for horses, or turned to Assyria for
help, thinking that these would insure defence. But these devices
always failed. God, from the first, placed His people in such
circumstances that they could not fail to see that it was not human
might which delivered them. Illustrate this by the Exodus, Gideon,
David and Goliath. In all this instruction for us, God is jealous of
His honour. He brings to nought the works of the wise who ignore Him,
and crowns with success the efforts of the weak and foolish who trust
Him.
These words were _especially addressed to the Ancient Church,_ and
consequently their teaching is for God's people now. We are too apt
to be discouraged when earthly powers are arrayed against us, and to
be elated when they are for us, in both cases placing our chief
dependence on them. To do this is to lose sight of the true dignity
and glory of the Church of God. The Church is the Spouse of Christ;
she is gifted and dowried by Him; and does not depend for success
upon the State, or any form of human help. The first preachers of
Christianity were poor and unlearned men, owing all their success to
the power of the Holy Ghost. We must rely upon the same force.
God teaches this lesson of dependence on Himself, not only to the
Church as a whole, but to individual members. Hence He sends personal
affliction, domestic trials; brings men into circumstances where
human aid is of no avail. They can do nothing for themselves; nothing
can be done for them. Trust in God is their only resource.
This leads to the second thought, _the profit of patient waiting on
the Lord._ "Their strength is to sit still." "In returning and rest
shall ye be saved." In returning from endeavours to obtain help from
earthly sources. God suffers us to lean on the aid of man that we may
realise its futility. Faith finds its best exercise in trial; it is
also strengthened and confirmed by affliction. In such conditions,
too, faith produces its richest and rarest fruit. Faith must evidence
itself by works. Days of sorrow and chambers of sickness bear witness
to the heroism of the believer. There are no heroes like those who
suffer calmly and in secret. Many such will at the last be exalted
higher than even martyrs and confessors.
_The secret of patient waiting is trust in God's promises._ Our
waiting must be on the Lord. Such waiting disciplines and chastens
us. Evil tempers are subdued. Attachment to the world is destroyed.
God's Word becomes our daily bread; His presence as the breath of our
life; and gradually the character is perfected, and made meet for the
inheritance of the saints in light.--_Rev. S. Robins, M.A., Dale:
Miscellaneous Sermons,_ p. 415.