In the example of William of Orange, the Dutch monarch, intentionally flooded much of his nation’s land in order to drive out the invading Spaniards. Such tactics were self-destructive so that no sides would win any benefits. People called it “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” It did not really work as expected.
In Isaiah’s day, Jerusalem turned to desperate measures when the Assyrian army threatened them. Creating a water storage system to endure the siege, the people also tore down houses to shore up the city walls. But they neglected the most important step. “You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.”(Isaiah 22:11)
We aren’t likely to encounter a similar incident today. “The batterings always come in commonplace ways and through commonplace people,” said Oswald Chambers. Yet, such “batterings” are genuine threats. Thankfully, they also bring with them God’s invitation to turn to Him first for what we need. When life’s hard blows and interruptions come, will we see them as opportunities to turn to God? Dear loving God, I turn to You first with all of my challenges, large and small before seeking our own desperate solutions.
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