The old saying states, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Bu that can mean a lot of different things. When difficulty comes, some people just bolt and run. Others stand their ground. We can be tempted to fight or take flight. But when it comes to God’s people, they are called to stand firm in the faith. Rather than run, they are to trust God. And, while the future may require them to fight, they will do so knowing that it is God who fights for them and with them. He will provide the victory. But in Isaiah 31:1-9, we see another option that every child of God faces when confronted by difficulty: Seeking help from something or someone other than God. The people of Judah were in a tough spot, but rather than turning to God, they chose to put their trust in Egypt. Instead of relying on God Almighty, they decided to place their hopes in the might of Pharaoh and his army. But they would be severely disappointed. Human help is never a good alternative to the holy help God offers. The power of men is no match for the omnipotence of God. And the people of Judah were going to learn that lesson the hard way.