Sometimes it is very easy to forget how near God is to us in times of crisis. When we get blindsided by a crisis, we sometimes think that we will be completely crushed by our enemies and God is just going to sit back and watch. That fear alone can completely paralyze trust, hope and faith. In those times it becomes especially important to remind ourselves that our God is faithful and has promised to be there for us in our times of need.

I would like to use Isaiah 33 as an example to show us what God does in times of crisis. Assyria, Israel’s enemy had come against them with apparent impunity. But God will visit his people with his saving presence. I believe He will do the same for you in your time of crisis.

Here are a few things to remember:

The Lord defends his people

You spoke in thunder and everyone ran.
You showed up and nations scattered.
Your people, for a change, got in on the loot,
Picking the field clean of the enemy spoils. God keeps your days stable and secure—
Salvation, wisdom, and knowledge in surplus

Isa. 33:1–6

God is never a no-show in times of crisis. He always shows up. I know he will be there for you today. It may seem as if he is far away and your prayers are hitting the ceiling and falling to the floor. But I want to remind you that He is near – a friend that sticks closer than a brother. 

The Lord intervenes for his people.

Now I’m stepping in,” God says.
“From now on, I’m taking over.
The gloves come off. Now see how mighty I am.

Isa. 33:7–12

What you need to do is to let go and let God. Sometimes it is hard for Him to intervene in our lives because we are holding on the steering wheel. You must remember that God will never forcibly take the steering wheel from you; you must let go and let God. Trust him, he knows best.

The Lord alone will secure his people forever.

For God makes all the decisions here. God is our king.
God runs this place and he’ll keep us safe.

Isa. 33:13–24

We need to remind ourselves each day that our hope is build on nothing less than Jesus blood and His righteousness. The arm of the flesh will always fail us. Instead of looking for help everywhere else and trusting in the things we usually run to for security, we need to run to God – He alone will secure his people forever.

Examples from the New Testament

The Believer’s Apparent (Temporal) Defeat	The Believer’s Actual (Spiritual) Victory
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death (1:8–9).	He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again (1:10).
When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ … my spirit was not at rest … (2:12–13).	But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession … (2:14).
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (4:8–10).	Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen (4:16–18).
A thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited (12:7).	But [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (12:9).