How can Isaiah 22:11 guide us in trusting God during crises today? The Setting of Isaiah 22 • Jerusalem faces an imminent military siege. • Leaders choose frantic self-rescue—tunneling a reservoir between the walls to keep water flowing. • God labels this mood “the Valley of Vision” because He is giving clear revelation, yet the people refuse to see it. The Key Verse Isaiah 22:11: “You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, nor consider Him who planned it long ago.” The Warning Behind the Wall • Human ingenuity can build tunnels, dig reservoirs, and draft contingency plans, yet none of it replaces humble reliance on the Lord. • The cistern in Isaiah’s day was not sinful in itself; the sin was constructing it without “looking to the One who made it.” • Trust in personal resourcefulness, while sidelining God, becomes practical atheism—even among believers (Psalm 20:7). Lessons for Crisis Trust 1. Remember the Architect – Every crisis unfolds within divine sovereignty (Job 42:2). – Our first reflex should be to acknowledge God’s prior planning, not merely scramble for solutions. 2. Dig Wells, but Look Up – Scripture never forbids prudent action (Nehemiah 4:9). – The difference lies in motive: am I working in dependence on Him or in defiance of Him? 3. Diagnose Heart Drift – Reservoirs expose where confidence rests. – Ask: Would my peace evaporate if my plan failed? If so, the plan—not God—has become my refuge (Jeremiah 17:5–8). 4. Feed on Promises – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6). – “The eyes of the LORD roam to and fro … to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully His” (2 Chronicles 16:9). 5. Let Crisis Deepen Worship – Instead of panic or fatalism, crises invite fresh wonder at God’s wisdom. – Looking to “the One who made it” transforms a threat into an altar of praise (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Putting It into Practice • When bad news hits, pause and verbally affirm God’s rule before drafting responses. • Incorporate Scripture into strategy meetings or family discussions; place the plan under His authority. • Hold every contingency loosely, ready to pivot as He redirects. • Celebrate answered prayer publicly, reinforcing a culture of God-dependence. |
    |