“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD,

​​“Who take counsel, but not of Me,

​​And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,

​​That they may add sin to sin;

​​Who walk to go down to Egypt,

​​And have not asked My advice,

​​To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,

​​And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!” vs1-2

We must not trust in the shadow of Egypt, which is unbelief! Egypt is where Israel ran when her enemies came, instead of to God who gives help! They trusted themselves, their engenuity, and their compromises. They trusted in the works of the flesh and walked in unbelief, and it shall not prosper. We cannot stand by doing our own will and living our own way! We must rely upon Jesus Christ’s grace and live for His glory: there is no Plan B.

The gospel is all of God: it is His doing from start to finish, and He makes us holy; it is God giving to the worst among us according to predetermined grace; it is us confessing our sins to a loving and forgiving Christ who heals us, sees us in the new covenant, and helps us as new creations [Song of Solomon 1:8]; it is self-inflicted wounds bound up with the ointment of grace, mercy, and the finished work of Christ; it is the Spirit’s power upon the helpless and otherwise unworthy; it is a gospel that makes us love each other and treat others uprightly; it is a gospel that causes graciousness, kindness, and joy to exude from us to others; it is a gospel that heals broken relationships by setting husbands and wives on the right path. “For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a weaker vessel [to be cared for], and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered [1 Pet 3:5-7].” The gospel is the LIFE-BLOOD of Christianity and without it we are vain. The gospel must be believed and preached, because Christ is all [Col 3:11].

Hear this gospel message and do not turn away! Let nothing stop us from feasting on Christ, because there’s no other peace or godliness. Religion is vain if it is void of Christ’s gospel; it is infuriating to God.