Isaiah 37:18, 30 NIV
"It is true, Lord , that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands.
"This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:
"This year you will eat what grows by itself,
and the second year what springs from that.
But in the third year sow and reap,
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
Sennacherib, the Assyrian King, was threatening Judah. Many of the threats and taunts his envoy threw at Judah are the same ploys Satan uses. It was true that the Assyrian kings had laid waste many peoples and lands. It is also true that Satan has destroyed many families and individual's lives. But God...
We forget that Satan can do nothing on his own. Because of mankind's rebellion God has given Satan certain freedom to tempt, test, taunt and destroy, but he can never go beyond the bounds set by the Father. He is only a fallen, created being.
In this chapter God promises Judah protection. The protection and restoration will not be immediate, but God will provide and protect. In Israel's case it will take until the third year for things to get back to normal. In the mean time, God will guard them, keep them, provide for them, and eventually make them prosper.
We often want instant and immediate solutions to deep and complex problems. We want a quick fix for a situation it took years to develop. God doesn't often work that way. We dig a hole and ask God to quickly fill it back in when we realize the consequences. God's response has something more in mind than just removing the immediate consequences of our poor choices. He wants us to actually learn, grow and mature through the whole thing. Sooo... "This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit."
Father forgive me for my selfish impatience and my lack of faith. Today, in the conflicts and issues of life may I trust that things are never out of your control. May I trust that you ultimately have my best interest in mind. May I rest in your sovereign love and truth.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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