Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27: 1-9; Micah 1:1-16; 2 Kings 16:1-9; 2 Chronicles 28:1-15; Isaiah 7:1-25
Like most of you I’ve had my share of tough times, but God has never left me and He has led me through the maze of life one turn at a time.
When I read today’s story I immediately said ah hah!
That is definitely what it has taken to get me through the tough times (I’m always so smart when I’m looking back on things, but not so much when I’m in the midst of those times). The funny thing is each time I made it through a trial alive, God used the trial to increase this “one thing.”
Here’s my paraphrase of today’s story:
King Ahaz heard that King Rezin and King Pekah had joined forces and were planning to attack Jerusalem. King Ahaz and all his people were so afraid they were shaking like trees in a storm.
The Lord told Isaiah, the prophet to take his son and go have a talk with Ahaz. Here’s what the Lord said through Isaiah:
- Ahaz Stop Worrying
- There’s no need to fear these two burned-out embers who call themselves kings
- Yes, Rezin and Pekah are plotting against you
- But—
- This invasion will never happen, it will never take place
- Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus
- Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin
- As for Israel, within 65 years it will be crushed and completely destroyed
- Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria
- Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah
And the last thing the Lord said, and it’s my take away from this story:
Ahaz, Unless your faith is firm, I (God) cannot make you stand firm.
Yep, the “one thing” is having a firm faith in God. I do not know how people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ make it through hard times. He’s the first place I run when the storm clouds of tough times move in.
What are your fears today?
Take this story and put your name and your situation in every underlined word or phrase. Write it down; paste it on your bathroom mirror. Oh, and make sure you emphasize the but! If you’re in the midst of one of these times I know you feel like you have no faith, but you do. Just keeping believing God is who He says He is– and He will do– what He said– He will do! You will make it!
We have to get this because unless our faith is firm God cannot make us stand firm!
Dear Heavenly Father, we know faith is important to you. Your Word tells us that without faith it is impossible to please you (Hebrews 11:6). Show us how to increase our faith. It is our desire to please you.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
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Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 8:1 through Isaiah 11:16
Great post. It is another thst will have me thinking anbout on the drive to work this morning!