GOD'S GRACIOUS PROVISION FOR THE DEFENSE OF HIS PEOPLE
A. "HE SHALL DWELL ON HIGH: HIS PLACE OF DEFENCE SHALL BE THE MUNITIONS OF ROCKS; BREAD SHALL BE GIVEN HIM; HIS WATERS SHALL BE SURE." - Isa. 33:16
  1. The context of the chapter shows that God warns:
    1. The spoilers against the oppression of his people - Isa. 33:1
    2. He will deal with them according to their deeds - Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:7
  2. On the other hand, the Lord makes provision for:
    1. Them that walk uprightly.
    2. That despiesth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil - Isa. 33:15
    3. God does make a difference between the righteous and the wicked - Mal. 3:16
B. GOD'S GRACIOUS PROVISION FOR THE DEFENCE OF HIS PEOPLE
  1. This heavenly provision indicates, clearly, that serious difficulties face the saints in the last days:
    1. These trials are mentioned by Daniel in Dan. 12:1
    2. The prophet Zephaniah, too, speaks of the time of trouble ahead of us - Zeph. 2:1-3
    3. In Revelation 12:17 we read that Satan will declare war against the remnant of the church of God.
  2. That means that there will be a time when all civil protection for the saints will be taken away from us:
    1. That means that God's children will flee from their habitations to places prepared by the Lord for refuge.
    2. The massive rocks in some places of the earth will be the defence of the oppressed.
    3. Cities, in ancient times, were built upon high places; such places are always an excellent defence against an enemy.
  3. The godly man's security:
    1. His main defence is, as we all know, the Rock of Ages - 1 Sam. 22:1-3
    2. That will be true of God's people in the final time of trouble.
    3. Satan knows that the Lord will not forsake His people in the day of trouble - Job 1:10; Ps. 91:1-6
C. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LORD'S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE
  1. "Bread shall be given him":
    1. That was true of Elijah - 1 Ki. 18:1-7
    2. The Lord cared for the widow that ministered to Elijah - 1 Ki. 18:8-14
    3. He fed ancient Israel for forty years - Ex. 16:35; Num. 14:33
  2. We are taught to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread": Matt. 6:11
    1. That is heavenly assurance that the Lord will supply all our needs - Phil. 4:19
    2. Those who trust in Him shall never lack any good thing - Luke 22:35
  3. "His water shall be sure":
    1. Water is as necessary to live as bread is; and when God promises us bread he will also supply the water.
    2. He cared for Hagar and her son - Gen. 21:15-19
  4. The heavenly provision of bread and water for God's oppressed people is most revealing:
    1. It shows that bread and water are the two main essentials for the sustenance of our physical health.
    2. There are many other so-called luxuries that will not be needed, and for that reason will not be supplied by the Lord.
    3. Note, further, that bread and water and shelter are the gift of heaven, and come to them that have put their trust under the care of their heavenly Father, who careth for them.
    4. That ought to remove from us all worry as to how we shall fare when the time of trouble comes upon us in the last days.
    5. How gracious is the Lord to all who trust to dwell under the shadow of His wings!


Design © John Bryant 2011