This chapter continues the theme of destruction prophesies for several of Israel’s / Judah’s neighboring nations.
“Why do you boast of your valleys, O faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’… The horror you inspire has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill.
Though you make your nest as high as the eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,
declares the Lord… And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.” (v4, 16, 27, 35)
According to the dictionary, “security” means “the state of being free from danger or threat”. The Bible does not promise us physical security in this life. In fact, it has many accounts implying the exact opposite – nobody is completely secure against threat of violence or death. These nations who had armies and strongholds were not secure, especially from God’s judgement, despite their prideful beliefs.
Fortunately, “there’s no such thing as security” is not completely true – our eternal spiritual wellbeing is secure in God’s loving arms, and absolutely no power in heaven or on earth can change that. In these often-quoted verses, Paul reminds us of this truth: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rm 8:38-39)
If we freely accept Jesus as our King, confess our sin, and pledge to obey Him, we received the gift of eternal life in exchange. At that point, our eternal spiritual wellbeing is absolutely secure – God has promised it, and God’s promises cannot be broken.
Father God, our Glorious Lord of Love, thank you for providing salvation and security for our spirits. May we fully embrace this truth, and not fear the insecurities of this world, for nothing can separate us from Your love. This physical body and world will pass away, but when that happens, we will be in Your loving arms, free from the worries and strife our sin has caused. May we honor, glorify and praise You with our words and actions, so others may come to know Your truths as well. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training