“When [Egypt cries] out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them. The LORD will make himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the LORD on that day …The LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing. Then they will turn to the LORD, and he will be receptive to their prayers and heal them” (Isaiah 19.20b, 21a, 22).

God struck Egypt during the Exodus, but Isaiah speaks of a yet future day (“on that day) when He will strike and heal them. The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy here has yet to come. Healing will come only when Egypt cries out to the LORD because of their oppressors. God will send them a Savior and a Leader. The LORD will strike them until they turn to Him like a father disciplines his child to bring about change or like a surgeon operates to heal. 

The need of the hour is healing, but it cannot come until people cry out to the LORD for salvation and guidance. Many are ambivalent and apathetic about their sins. They define their own morality and pretend to have their own narrative concerning truth. Such people need a Savior, but the LORD must strike them until they recognize it. 

Those who battle sin and desire truth need only turn to the LORD. Things may seem desperate and beyond hope, but that is only how they seem. Jesus will give you eternal life if you come to Him. Those who do so never perish. No one is able to snatch them from His hand. They are eternally secure. Are you numbered among them? 

I have eternal life thanks to the mercy and grace of God. If you do as well, be strong in the grace that we find in Christ Jesus. Commit your way to Him. You have a Savior and a Leader! You are experiencing healing as a child of God. You are eternally secure.