What other scriptures emphasize trusting God over human assurances or threats? Setting the Scene: Isaiah 36:15 “Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.’” The Assyrian spokesman ridicules faith in God, insisting Judah surrender. The rest of Scripture repeatedly answers that taunt: trust the Lord, not human intimidation or promises. Old Testament Echoes of Unshakable Trust • Psalm 118:8-9 — “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” • Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • Jeremiah 17:5-8 — “Cursed is the man who trusts in man… Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” • Isaiah 31:1 — “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help… but do not look to the Holy One of Israel.” • Psalm 20:7 — “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” • Psalm 56:3-4, 11 — “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You… What can man do to me?” • Isaiah 2:22 — “Stop regarding man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he?” • Isaiah 30:15 — “In quietness and trust is your strength.” • 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 — “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” • Daniel 3:17-18 — “Our God… is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, we will not serve your gods.” New Testament Reinforcement • Matthew 10:28 — “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” • John 14:1 — “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.” • Hebrews 13:6 — “‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” • 2 Corinthians 1:9 — “[This happened] that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” • Revelation 2:10 — “Do not fear what you are about to suffer… Be faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Key Threads That Tie These Passages Together • Human strength is limited (“arm of flesh”); God’s power is unlimited. • Fear of people is displaced by reverence for the Lord. • Trust involves both confidence in God’s ability and commitment to obey Him even if deliverance is delayed. • Threats, whether political (Assyria), military (chariots), or personal, lose their force when viewed in light of God’s sovereignty. • The consistent call: Take refuge in the character, promises, and proven faithfulness of the Lord rather than in any earthly guarantee. Living It Out Today • Replace “Assyria” with whatever looms large—cultural pressures, health crises, financial uncertainty—and apply the same choice: lean on God, not on human assurances. • Saturate your mind with the passages above; speak them aloud when fear whispers. • Evaluate decisions: Am I choosing the “arm of flesh” option or the faith option? • Remember past deliverances; present trust is strengthened by yesterday’s victories. |
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