The Daily Word: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021
Isaiah 19:1-21:17
Galatians 2:1-16
Psalm 59:1-17
Proverbs 23:13-14
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!”
Then he answered and said,
“Babylon is fallen, is fallen!
And all the carved images of her gods
He has broken to the ground.” – Isaiah 21:9
Babylon was one of the greatest, wealthiest, and most powerful cities of her day. The Babylonian empire achieved regional dominance between the 7th and 6th centuries BC. King Nebuchadnezzar ruled ancient Babylon with an iron fist! The Babylonian army overran every nation in its path, stretching from modern-day Israel in the west to Iran in the east, and from Saudi Arabia in the south all the way up to Turkey in the north.
But Babylon would fall, just like every other man-made nation. Cyrus the Great, king of the Achaemenid Empire, overran Babylon in 539 BC, sending shockwaves throughout the Middle East. This great city, which many thought could never be deposed, had fallen. “All the carved images of her gods… [were] broken to the ground” (Isa. 21:9).
Every man-made nation will fail. Every cultural institution that we labor to establish will eventually crumble! Can you see why it is so futile to put your trust in man? Anyone who trusted in the King of Babylon to protect him was put to shame. But those who put their trust in God were never disappointed. Even the people of Israel who remained loyal to God and were brought into captivity in Babylon were protected! Even in captivity, they prospered and flourished (Jer. 29:7).
So, what is your Babylon? Whom or what are you trusting instead of God? God is the only One who can be trusted! If you put your trust in princes (Ps. 146:3) or in chariots (Ps. 20:7) you will fail! But when you trust in the Lord your God, you will never be put to shame (Ps. 25:1).
Prayer:
Father, I know that Babylon will fall! Anything and anyone in whom I put my trust who is not You will be put to shame and embarrassed! But You, Lord, will last forever. You can be trusted! I will put my hope in You. Protect me and preserve me, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.