Besides Him, there is no Savior

Joshua 16–17; Psalm 148; Jeremiah 8; Matthew 22

This morning I was still not certain about yesterday’s challenge. What do I say to the person who is defending a false teacher? Anything? Nothing? Throughout yesterday, the Holy Spirit kept nudging me about my motivations. Something in me wanted to preach, to debate, to convince. The Spirit asked who do I trust? This morning I recognize the answer. It is easy to think that I can ‘save’ someone by using persuasive words, even God’s Word, using a powerful, well-spoken argument.

The above Scriptures did not say anything helpful so I went to ‘the verse of the day’ in my Bible software and God gently spoke to me: I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. (Isaiah 43:11)

In context, this verse affirmed with the Spirit was saying; I can try to be the Savior, but that is totally pointless. I have no power and no real understanding of what someone else needs to hear. I thought God was giving me verses of instruction and rebuke for someone else (1 Timothy 6:20-21) but He was speaking to me, warning me about listening to nonsense. God uses the verse of the day and its context to tell me that He will take care of that other person.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you . . . . “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . . Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me, no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon (a place of captivity) and bring them all down as fugitives . . . . I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” (Isaiah 43:1–15)

God delivers those who are His. He may use human instruments as His witnesses yet I cannot assume that I can talk anyone into freedom. He is the Savior; I am not. He says “for your sake” He will rescue all fugitives, all those who are His, because whatever He does, no one can resist it or turn it back.

APPLY: “Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.” (1 Samuel 12:16) I must leave this with Him because I know my pride and tendency to want to take the credit. Keep praying. Be obedient should He ask me to say or do anything yet always trust the Lord to do what He alone can do.