The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 30:1-5, “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “who execute a plan, but not Mine, and make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, in order to add sin to sin;
2 Who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
3 “Therefore, the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation.
4 “For their princes are at Zoan and their ambassadors arrive at Hanes.
5 “Everyone will be ashamed because of a people who cannot profit them, who are not for help or profit, but for shame and also for reproach.”

The word “woe” relates in meaning not only to “stop,” as one might say to a horse, but it’s
also an expression of grief. The usage of the word in our verses above could easily have
the meaning of both “stop” and “grief.” Isaiah could easily have utilized both meanings in
his warning.

Absolutely nothing occurs anywhere, but that the LORD has a plan for His people. It’s as
true for us as it was for Israel. Pray tell, why do they and we devise and execute plans, rather than waiting patiently on the LORD? It’s almost as if we trusted ourselves more than
we trust Him.

Shame is equal to disapointment; therefore, when we seek anything (comfort, shelter, etc.)
from anyone other than the LORD, we are, in effect, saying that He is less dependable
than those who don’t even know Him. It compares with a child who disowns and degraces his own father when he asks money from a stranger.

“The safety of Pharaoh will be your shame,” the prophet says! And so it is with all nations,
who seek the provision of their needs (or even wants) from anyone but the LORD! Do you
pray to the LORD for the things that you need? You ought to do so if you truly belong to
Him.

There are two young boys who live across the street from me. The always wave and
greet me (“Hi, Mr. Gene!”) when I am outside and visible to them. Yet, they never ask me
for anything, however needful it might be. How would their dad feel if they relied upon me
instead of upon him? He is their responsibility, and he enjoys being their responsibilty.

Oh, that we might trust the LORD! First, He wants and needs to be our Father. Then, He
wants us to rely upon Him for our needs. Believe me, He can provide anything! And, as the
Provider, He has the responsibility to assess what we need and precisely when we need it.

None of this is hard. Take Him as your Father by trusting in His Son, Jesus! Once you are
spiritually related to Him, He will meet your every need! Even things you need that you
didn’t know you needed –He will provide. Trust Him! Give Him your life! That’s the Key!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom