Our Only Hope and Strength

Isaiah 10:20 NASB - "Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel."  

Isaiah prophesied of a time when God’s people would look to Him alone as their source of strength and comfort. The prophecy comes in the context of the great threatening storm of invasion upon Israel. Did they look to God for their refuge? No, they looked to the Assyrians, the very ones who would oppress them. King Ahaz renounced his dependence upon God and sought the aid of the Assyrians. "Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, ‘I am your servant and your son; come up and deliver me from the hand of the king of Aram, and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me’” (2 Kings 16:7). It might have seemed like a reasonable course of action. The Assyrians were a powerful force. Perhaps they could deliver Israel from the invasion of the Arameans. In doing so they committed treason against the one true God. They abandoned the only one who could deliver them. When carnal wisdom replaces faith in God the results are always disastrous. God gave them over to their sin and crushed them under the very forces they had trusted. 

Isaiah looked forward to a time when God’s people would turn to Him as their only Deliverer. Isaiah is ultimately looking forward to the New Covenant. As God’s holy remnant, we have forsaken every earthly hope and have declared our dependence upon Jehovah God. We can say with King David, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust” (Psalm 18:2). As we sing in the great hymn, “Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never foe can stand; Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry, touch the Spirit there. Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed; finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.” 

We are the chosen people of God. Nothing shall separate us from His love and care. Why would we look to another for our hope and strength? There is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved. Christ alone is our great Deliverer, our Savior and King, the Holy One of Israel.