Today I heard a story about the game Monopoly. I remembered playing the game many times in my life. Sometimes it was fun and sometimes it was not. Very much like life! It’s not always fun!
We all gather around the table and set the board up. Someone is the banker and they hand out the money. As the game goes on we can buy and sell property. It’s a great feeling to own Boardwalk, Park Place and to trade in those tiny green houses for red hotels. Since the hotels were red you know that’s what I wanted.
As the game goes on it’s fun if you’re the one buying the red hotels and winning the game. But the game comes to an end at some point. It isn’t very long and it’s time to put the game away. As the story I heard this morning was told, the…
Do you ever let an issue play on your mind? Do you waste your time and your energy thinking it over and over…….and then over and over again? Do you ever find it hard to let things go? You want to let it go, of course you do, but for some reason that nagging thought or issue will just not shift no matter how hard you try to forget about it? It’s stuck in your head like chewing gum on your shoe!
I’ve experienced this very recently. I don’t really need to share the intimate details of the situation but needless to say the whole situation had left me feeling frustrated, angry and as though an injustice had been done.
Apart from this isolated incident, life is good. I’ve married my best friend this year, back in April (Yes, I know….yawn…..I’ve mentioned this a trillion times in previous blogs….old…
Isaiah 10:10-25 (KJV) As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; [11] Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? [12] Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. [13] For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: [14] And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. [15] Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. [16] Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. [17] And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day; [18] And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth. [19] And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. [20] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. [21] The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. [22] For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. [23] For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. [24] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. [25] For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
Audio of Sermon:
I have heard of preachers plagiarizing sermons, stealing from other pastors for one reason or the other. I have been tempted at times to do so myself, though I have never done so. A sermon must come from God through the heart of His preacher. God must speak to me, so I can speak to you. To plagiarize a sermon is to take another man’s voice and lift it up. The preacher is to lift up God’s Voice, to speak the hard things though none want to hear it.
Tonight’s text is a difficult text. It deals with something that plagues all of us. It deals with PRIDE. God despises PRIDE. God says:
Proverbs 8:13 (ESV) The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Pride takes the glory that should belong to God alone and places it on frail and fallen man. Pride treats the Scripture as if it were not, as 1 Peter 1:25 tells us …
The Word of the Lord which endures FOREVER!
Pride treats God’s Word as if it were printed on Select-A-Size perforations like paper towels. Pride is Thomas Jefferson’s Bible – the one he made by cutting out all passages he didn’t like, and retaining the portions he agreed with. Pride ignores what God says unless it pleases us, saying “That was THEN but this is NOW”, as if the Eternal and Immovable God of the Scripture changes with the times as we do.
There was a meaning THEN, and there is a meaning NOW. There was a point THEN, and there is a point NOW.
God Will Not Bless The Prideful
What was happening THEN? God’s people whom He had established had ceased glorifying Him. They became prideful, idolatrous.
God was going to sent a lost nation against them called Assyria.
But Assyria was also prideful and idolatrous. And God HEARD it. God hears what you say. God knows what you think.
Isaiah 10:12 (KJV) Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon MOUNT ZION AND ON JERUSALEM, ….
God was going to do a “work” on His people. What was that “work”? God was going to send affliction because they had ceased glorifying Him. His people stopped living for the Lord Who saved them. The Bible warns us:
Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
This is not just true for the unbeliever, but for the believer as well. Pride robs God of His glory. God was going to use the nation of Assyria to punish His people, to cause them to cease their pride and look up, to glorify the Lord their God.
But God also will punish Assyria because of their pride.
Isaiah 10:12 (KJV) … I will PUNISH THE FRUIT of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
What is “the FRUIT of the STOUT HEART”?
That fruit is arrogance against God.
God said “After I use Assyria as an ax against the tree of Judah, I will punish the pride of the Assyrians.” God would punish the King who made himself a god over the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Lucifer – God’s Chief ArchAngel – lost his job in Heaven because of arrogance.
Isaiah 14:12-15 (NKJV) How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
The Bright Star and beautiful Lucifer allowed pride to creep in, and rejecting the Grace of God he said “I will”. He placed his will above the Lord’s will, and lost everything.
Adam – who was God’s prototype Man – lost his job in Eden because of pride. Pride is self worship. Pride takes that which is God’s, and places it on man. We skirt pride when we glorify man. The current controversy concerning NFL athletes kneeling during the National Anthem is both caused and fueled by pride. God alone is to be glorified. God alone is to be knelt to.
The King of Assyria emulated both Lucifer and Adam in his thoughts and pride. The Lord heard him that King, just as He hears your hearts today, and broadcast why this nation would fall. It was because of pride.
Isaiah 10:13-14 (KJV) For HE saith, By the strength of MY hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a VALIANT man: [14] And MY hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
The King of Assyria boasted, over and over again, that it was HIS prowess and HIS power and HIS purpose and HIS engineering that caused HIM to rule the world. He placed HIMSELF at the center of all things. He was LIFTED UP with PRIDE, powerful PRIDE. He knew better than God Himself. As a matter of fact, He was, in His estimation, GOD HIMSELF.
Isaiah 10:15 (KJV) Shall the AXE boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the SAW magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the ROD should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the STAFF should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
God said to the Assyrian king:
You are just an Ax in My hands. The Ax has no right to boast that it cuts down the tree. You are just a Saw in my hands. The Saw has no right to boast in how much wood it cuts. You are just a Rod lifted up. No Rod can lift itself up. I lifted you up. You are just a walking stick, a staff. God does not lean on you, but uses you. You are nothing without God. And you are certainly NO GOD.
Oh, how dangerous is pride and it’s twin arrogance. Good people become evil people through pride.
It was pride that caused the first fall of man. It was pride that said to Adam:
You will not surely die if you eat the forbidden. God is just depriving you. He knows the day you eat of it you will be like Him. A god of gods. (Genesis 3:4-5)
It was pride that caused the first murder, when Cain killed Abel.
It was pride that caused the wickedness that led to the Noahic Flood.
It was pride that caused Lot to go to Sodom and Gomorrah,
And pride that caused the destruction of those magnificent twin cities.
It is pride that will cause the Lake of Fire to be packed with citizens,
But only a few by comparison to enter into God’s glorious Heaven.
Pride Says “God Will Look The Other Way For ME”
Isaiah 10:10-11 (KJV) As My hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; [11] Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, SO DO TO JERUSALEM AND HER IDOLS?
It is pride that says “God will punish the sinner for his or her sins, but will overlook mine”. Pride is a trap that says to it’s victim “God will hold THAT PERSON accountable, but I am cherished, and I have a free pass”.
God despises favoritism and racism!
God despises favoritism and racism!
God despises favoritism and racism!
He says (2 Chronicles 19:7 (ESV)) Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.
God is not a Crooked Judge, and does not tolerate crookedness in any, whether unsaved, Israel, or the Church. God expects His people to DO GOOD. God judges NOT DOING and DOING WRONG. Pride whispers:
“Because you are a Child of Christ you have a pass.” “Because you are God’s Israel, you can have idols” “God punished Samaria and her idols” “But God will not punish yours because YOU are SPECIAL”
Oh Beloved, this is so wrong. Our God is even handed. We are told in …
Romans 2:6-11 (ESV) {God} will render to each one ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS: 7 to those who by PATIENCE IN WELL-DOING seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for THOSE WHO ARE SELF-SEEKING AND DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH, BUT OBEY UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, THERE WILL BE WRATH AND FURY. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but GLORY AND HONOR AND PEACE FOR EVERYONE WHO DOES GOOD, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY.
Salvation is by faith in the free gift of Christ our Lord, but whether you suffer the paddling of God or enjoy the promise of the Father is based on WHAT YOU DO. It is pride that says “we do not have to do what He says, but we are saved nonetheless”. You may be saved but to ignore God’s Word is to do so perilously. God is faithful to Himself, and expects our unquestioned obedience!
Samaria or Northern Israel was punished by God because of pride, because His people did not honor Him and Him alone. Will not God punish equally all wrong doing?
Pride Brings With It Suffering
Last Thursday Hugh Hefner – the founder of the Playboy Magazine – died at 91 years old. He made millions of dollars, riches untold, by objectifying women and treating them as objects rather than God’s creatures. He led the way in the so called sexual revolution, enslaved millions to pornography, and was instrumental in destroying marriage as God intended. And the world celebrates his life. Though what he did filled his pockets, he sold his soul and the souls of countless others who followed his dark path.
Pride and selfishness caused God to take away the blessings that He had bestowed on His people. He said:
Isaiah 10:16-19 (KJV) Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. [17] And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day; [18] And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth. [19] And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
The Bible tells us in
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
Those who are “poor in spirit” or humble will be blessed of God. God blesses those who love Him, who glorify Him, who live for Him. But God says to the arrogant and prideful “I will send leanness, and burning. My glory shall consume your glory. The forest that you thought you were, I will burn it down until it has so few trees that a little child can count them”.
I’ve been watching the PBS Special on the Vietnam War on PBS. Actually I’m using Netflix, but it’s the same thing. It’s a great special, and I’ve learned a lot I never knew about that war. I found out that it was a war we inherited from the French, and a war that none of the United States Presidents thought we could ever win. President John F. Kennedy didn’t think the war was winnable, but continued to publicly support it because, in his words, he didn’t think he could be re-elected if he pulled troops out of Vietnam. JFK never got a chance to be re-elected, as a sniper assassinated him on Friday November 22, 1963. The Presidency passed to Lyndon B. Johnson who felt that he would not be re-elected unless he supported the war. After re-election Johnson often told his closest friends that he thought the war was not winnable. But Presidential pride and ambition for office kept him publicly supporting a war that would eventually kill 58,000 of our brave troops. LBJ told one friend:
“I feel like a Texas mule in a hailstorm. I can’t run.
I can’t hide. I can’t back up. All I can do is stand still and take it.”
There was something he could have done – he could have sought the Lord in prayer. He could have repented of his pride. He could have pulled our brave troops out of Vietnam. He could have done the right thing.
Our President could – and SHOULD—just as any of us –
seek the Lord in prayer, read His Word, do His will.
One of the most telling moments that I saw in the PBS special was one Marine who said – and I paraphrase from memory his words …
“When I came to Vietnam I killed a person, and for nights afterwards had nightmares. It is horrible to kill a person. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t kill any more people, and I didn’t kill any more people the whole time I was in Vietnam. I killed gooks. I killed slants. I killed sub-humans. I didn’t kill people. That’s what racism is for. It makes people not people.”
People are people, and every person is made in God’s image. Pride tells one people that they are greater than other people. Pride tells us that that other person doesn’t matter, though they do. All people matter to God. Red, yellow, black, or white, they are precious in His sight. No person is worthless, but none of us are gods. There is but one God, and He sets the standard by which we are to live.
To Break The Yoke Of The Enemy,
Humble Yourself Before God
We read:
Isaiah 10:20-23 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. [21] The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. [22] For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. [23] For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
God promised His people that “a remnant shall return to the land”. Who is this “remnant”? It is those “who STAY upon the LORD”. Those who seek God and make Him first in their lives will be the remnant that God will bless. This remnant will be consumed with God, the mighty God. They will be focused upon Him.
Do you know what breaks the hold of the enemy? It is our loving relationship with God. The Lord says:
Isaiah 10:27 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
The burden of the enemy is taken away, and his yoke is broken from our necks, when God is with us and God is pleased in us. The word “anointing” in the above text is the Hebrew שֶׁמֶן shemen, which means “to let the fat or oil run down”. There is a beautiful picture drawn by the Lord where. A yoke is placed around the neck of an animal to control it. When we depart from glorifying God and make life about ourselves, being lifted up with pride, God takes away His blessing and we get thinner for it. The enemy then slaps a yoke around our thin and emaciated necks. But when we love God and glorify Him first and always. When we:
Matthew 6:33 (ESV) …. seek FIRST the kingdom of God AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU.
When we put God first God puts us first. The yoke is around our scrawny necks when we depart from God. But when we – like a remnant – return to Him, God brings fatness back to our lives. Our necks swell, and under His blessing the yoke of the oppressor breaks. One translation puts it this way:
and the yoke will be broken because of the fat (ESV) or even better the yoke will be broken because your neck will be too large (CSB)
God will bless you, dear One, if you will put away pride and love Him with your whole heart. Do not delay. Love and trust Him. Live for Him. Follow Christ and love one another. May God lead you to a deeper relationship with Him through this Word.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this
In the darkest night the Light of God shines the brightest.
Isaiah lived in a day where there was nothing but corruption in government. The nation had wandered from God. Even God’s Church no longer seemed to love the Lord nor His Word. But God was not giving up. God never gives up on us. The L ord said:
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this
Anytime you see “LORD of hosts” in the Bible you see the title God takes as the Commander in Chief of the Angelic Armies. The “Lord of hosts” is a war title of God. It is like saying “The Five Star General”. What does a Five Star General do? He leads His troops to conquer the enemy. God is the “Lord of hosts”, and it is with “zeal” that He shall “do this”. What is “zeal”?
The definition of “Zeal” is “enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal, and tireless diligence in its furtherance”. A “Zealot” was passionate about what he did, and would do anything … ANYTHING … to accomplish his goal. ZEAL is something you see among humanity.
When God created the worlds and all that is in it, the universe and countless galaxies there is no mention of “Zeal”. When God rescued Israel from Egypt by a mighty hand, parting the Red Sea and crushing the enemy, there is no mention of “Zeal”.
What is it that God will do with “Zeal”? What is it that will cause the Maker to:
Isaiah 59:17 (KJV) …. put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
It is with ZEAL that God reaches out to humanity to save us. It is with ZEAL that God – the LORD of hosts – comes to do battle with evil, Satan, and sin. It is with ZEAL that God enters humanity, broken humanity.
Unto US A Child Is Born
Consider the zeal of the Lord, His great passion for “us”. Who is the “us” for whom the Child was born? Jesus Christ was born into this world for every person who would receive Him. He was born for the broken, the blind, the deaf, the crippled. Jesus was born into this world of the Holy Spirit, born if a Virgin, God with us.
He Who is holy, without sin, enthrone in Heaven even now came to this earth to seek and save that which was lost. We are all born apart from God. We are all born broken. Whether red, yellow, black, or white, the Bible says …
Romans 3:9-10 … both Jews and Gentiles, that THEY ARE ALL UNDER SIN; 10 As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE …
Jesus Christ came unto US, both Jews and Gentiles. We are all sinners in need of the Savior. There is no one that stands before God pure and clean. The Lord says of us all that
Romans 3:22-23 …. there is no difference: 23 For ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD;
When Jesus entered this world through Mary He Himself was without sin. But God came to earth to save us. Unto us a Child was born. Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, the …
Colossians 1:15-17 … image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Very God of Very Gods came to this earth in zeal, in passion. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem so that He could go to a Cross on Calvary.
Philippians 2:6-7 {Jesus} being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
God became child for US. God lowered Himself FOR US. God cared FOR US. God’s passion was FOR US. He gave up everything and came to this earth, writing Himself into His own creation. He lowered Himself to be like us in every way but in sin. Our Christ never sinned. This Child never sinned, from cradle to grave. Though tempted as we are tempted:
Hebrews 4:15 (ESV2011){Jesus} who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
It was with zeal that God the Son became the Son of Man, because He wished to bring us to Himself. Satan robbed us and continues to rob humanity of the glory of God. Christ came as a Child because only by becoming like us could He pay for our sins. The Scripture declares:
Hebrews 2:14-17 (KJV) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.
Romans 5:19 (KJV) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
By Adam’s sin the world fell into sin. Jesus Christ came and, in the fullness of time He was born of a woman (Galatians 4:4) so that He could make payment for your sins and mine.
Galatians 1:4 Who GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS, THAT HE MIGHT DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD, according to the will of God and our Father:
Praise Him! Praise Him for His zeal. Be zealous for Him, for He is surely zealous for you!
Unto US A Son Is Given
Notice that the CHILD is BORN, but the SON is GIVEN. As the Son of God Jesus Christ the Messiah has no beginning or end. He entered humanity through a virgin birth, but as God He has no beginning nor end. God the Father gave the Son to us all. As the well known verse states:
John 3:16-17 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We are promised “everlasting life” in Jesus because He is the Source of Life. He is God among us, God with us. The imminent R.G. Lee said:
“Jesus is the only one born with no earthly father but an earthly mother. He had no heavenly mother but a heavenly Father. He was older than His mother and yet as old as His Father”.
The Child was born but the Son of God GIVEN. Christ is – by His declaration –
Revelation 1:8 (KJV) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 22:12-13 (KJV) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
The one who receives Christ receives God and God’s Promise. The one who receives Christ comes under the care of Christ.
And The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder
The one who receives Christ receives a great blessing. Those who are His are under His control. He governs us. He watches over us. He loves and cares for us with an eternal zeal. We who are His live our lives following the Lord Jesus. We live our lives letting Him live through us. The “Government SHALL be upon HIS shoulder”. Jesus is big enough for anything that comes our way. He is greater than the Goliaths of life.
1 John 5:4-5 (CSB) …. everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. 5 Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus Christ is the Son Given. Believing that God gave His Son for us, His Beloved Son, we believe that God’s overcoming love can never leave us nor forsake us. God sent His Son to this earth to bring us into His triumphal, always overcoming, family. Oh how short sighted the racist that does not understand that every Christ follower is my brother or sister. The declaration of Scripture is that there is …
Galatians 3:28 (KJV) … neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
We are not overcome of sin or of this world, but we are overcome by His love. He has promised:
Revelation 2:7 (KJV) … To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
and again,
Revelation 2:11 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that OVERCOMETH shall not be hurt of the second death.
Eight times in Revelation the Lord addresses His Church as an overcoming Church, and His people as overcoming people. Is that because we are to be strong in ourselves? Absolutely not! We are strong because the Son was given to us.
We will follow Him, not the world. We will heed His Word, not man’s word. We will obey Jesus Christ, bowing the knee to Him and Him alone! He will rule our lives. The government – the Kingdom – shall be upon His shoulder. Jesus Christ bears up those who bow down to Him! He is God, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He is worthy.
We Rest In The NAME Of Jesus
The NAME or AUTHORITY of Jesus has four distinct qualities.
Isaiah 9:6 …. and his NAME shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Notice that it says “His name”, singular, not “His names” plural.
Dr. Danny Akin wrote:
“With more than 250 names and titles of our Lord scattered from Genesis to Revelation, Isaiah brings together 4 in a tight, concise package that appear no where else in the Bible. More names of Messiah are crowded together here than any where else in Holy Scripture. Taken together they encapsulate the totality of the person and work of Jesus, who He is and what He does.”
Jesus Is Our Wonderful Counselor
The King James incorrectly separates these two words with a comma. Jesus is wonderful, but the Hebrew tells us that He is “Wonderful Counselor”.
Human history and perhaps your life is filled with bad counselors.
Adam listened to the bad counsel of Satan.
(“You shall not surely die” – Genesis 3:5)
Cain listened to the bad counsel of pride (Genesis 4:7)
and murdered his brother.
A young girl will listen to the bad counsel of her friends, and finds herself with child.
Another will listen to the bad counsel of his peers and head down the road of drug addiction.
Too many people today listen to the bad counsel of the world, and die in their sins.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV) …. behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
A good Counselor is someone we go to for advice and comfort. But Jesus Christ is more than a good Counselor – Jesus is a WONDERFUL Counselor. He never gives bad advice.
His Word is always just the right word. He gave Himself for my sins, so I know He has my best interests at heart. He loves me, and He loves you. As our Wonderful Counselor He directs our path.
John 14:6 (KJV) …. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He saved us by His Blood. He guides us by His Spirit. He gives us eternal life. He is the sure path we walk on. Jesus Christ is truly Wonderful Counselor.
Jesus Christ Is Our Mighty God
He doesn’t just listen to our needs, but He is able to respond and meet our every need. King David trusted Jesus, and said:
Psalms 40:2-5 …. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust
As our Wonderful Counselor we share our hearts with Him, but as our Mighty God we trust Him to meet our needs, to save us, to be our Hero. Christ is a Hero to His people. He loves and protects us.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, A wonderful Savior to me; He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, Where rivers of pleasure I see. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love, And covers me there with His hand, And covers me there with His hand.
Jesus Christ Is Our Everlasting Father
Philip told Jesus one day ….
John 14:8-10 (KJV) …. Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
One of the mysteries of our faith is the Trinity of God. That God is One, but in Three Persons. Jesus Christ is God the Son, but He works so perfectly in harmony with the Father that He could say “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me”. When Jesus spoke of our salvation He said:
John 10:27-30 (KJV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and [my] Father are one.
There is perfect agreement between God the Father and God the Son and God the Spirit. If you call on the name of Jesus, you shall be saved. If you repent, turn, and come to Christ, your salvation is assured. Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Jesus Christ Is Our Prince Of Peace
Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
We only have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Once you come to Him you are no more sinners but Sons, destined to enter glory as a part of His Heavenly Family. Glory! Glory! Knowing this
Philippians 4:7 (KJV) … the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The peace of God fills the hearts of those who love the Lord. Do you have that peace of God that guards the heart and mind? If not, repent. Turn from following yourself and come to follow Him.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: (27) But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
We are born into the “Human Race”, but that’s not the race we should be most concerned with. We are born into this life “racing” after things, but things will not bless us.
The Apostle Paul wanted us to know that we were not born into this life without purpose. God made us on purpose for a higher calling.
The greatest thing you can do is surrender your life to the Lord then run with Him, follow Him, live your life in Him and for Him. To illustrate this, Paul talks about a race and a prize.
Parents today have confused their children in the area of sports. When I was growing up trophies were given out for First, Second, and Third place. The others who did not run and did not cross the finish line did NOT get a prize. But the newest thing today is this … everyone gets a prize for just showing up. That’s not a good idea, because life doesn’t operate that way.
If you just show up at school you don’t get good grades. If you just show up at work you don’t get promoted or higher pay. If you just show up even in High School sports, you’ll get cut from the team. Anytime you just show up and don’t strive, nothing positive happens.
God Wants Us To Run With Jesus
Before Paul ran with Jesus he ran to be well respected. He was the youngest person ever to serve on the Jewish Council called the Sanhedrin. As Saul (which is what he was known by then) he was a driven person. He worked really hard to earn respect and power among his fellow man.
Then Saul became Paul on the Damascus Road. He met Jesus Christ.
Jesus turned Saul’s life around. Where he was previously self driven, he then turned to living his life with Jesus. Christians are saved by faith in God. We trust God to be saved. We believe that we are sinners, and that Jesus Christ died for our sins, paying for our errors. We receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and on receiving Him we trust Him to give us access to God.
We have no reason to BOAST as Christians that we are better than anyone else. The Bible says:
Romans 3:27-28 (NLT) Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
It is Christ Who gave Himself for us. It is His Love that makes salvation possible. God saves us.
Titus 3:5-7 (CSB) {God} saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
God saves us. Not through our goodness, but through Christ’s goodness. God saves us by simple confession – by crying out to Him! The Bible declares:
Romans 10:9-13 (CSB) If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Salvation is a free gift from God. But once saved, God wants us to be more than mere spectators. We are not called to the AUDIENCE, but are called to serve our Lord. We are to run our race with Jesus. If we are saved by faith in Him, we are to live with Him. We are not to be like the FALLEN world, but to be like God’s FUTURE world. We are to be children of God, not children of Adam. We have “put on” Christ.
Galatians 3:26, 28 (CSB) for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus. 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God calls each person to treat this life like a race, and to remember that at the finish line there is a prize. If we want to earn the prize we have to first enter the race. Then if we want to win the prize, we must RUN that race.
Those Who Run Win A Prize
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Saved by faith, we are now in a race for a Future Tense prize. What you do TODAY effects your TOMORROW. If you run after the devil, you will get the devil’s prize.
If you chase the things of this world – drugs, sex, power, money – there will be its own reward.
Run that you may obtain. Run the right race, so you can be blessed.
My best friend growing up was my next door neighbor Joey. Joey was about 2 years older than I was, and I looked up to Joey. His family had a large fenced in back yard right next to ours. Joey taught me how to play Badminton. I loved playing that game. We would hit the little Badminton “Bird” over the fence between our back yards, and Joey often won. I admired Joey. Joey’s parents had more money than we had. I remember when Joey got a small dirt bike for Christmas, and how jealous I was. Joey let me ride his dirt bike a little, and it just made him a bigger hero in my mind. Then one year his parents bought Joey and his sisters (Cherie and Cheryl) a pony. I got to ride Joey’s pony, and again I was just blown away by it. My parents never bought us ponies or dirt bikes – we just didn’t have the money. I remember one day Joey was riding his pony when it bucked, and Joey fell off face first onto one of those old time Coca Cola wooden crates. It branded Joey with a check mark on his face, but it just made him look more heroic. He was like a pirate! Joey went into the Marines when I was in High School, and went to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Passing Basic Training he was inducted into the Marines. Joey came home from training and while on leave took his own life. I don’t believe he left a note. But depression was certainly the reason for what he did.
The world would have us believe that the best race to run is the things the world loves. The best race to run is God’s Race, with Jesus. Every day you live is precious, and what you do or do not do today will lead to your tomorrow. The world and the devil will want you to run your race selfishly, or not at all.
1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
If you want to win the prize you must be TEMPERATE in all things. A runner has a goal. A runner has a purpose. The Christian is to listen to God as He or she runs their race. We are not to heed the world, but the Lord Who saved us. The Scripture says:
1 John 5:3-4 (CSB) For this is what LOVE FOR GOD IS: TO KEEP HIS COMMANDS. And his commands are not a burden, 4 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.
We run for our God because we love our God. We praise Him for what He has done for us. We know that He knows what is best for us.
We RUN so that we might receive His smile of approval. We RUN because our efforts are important to Him. We RUN with Jesus, our living Savior.
Invest Your Life In The Right Race
1 Corinthians 9:25-26 … Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
The most precious thing you have is your SOUL. The devil and the world wants us to WASTE OUR SOULS.
Mark 8:34-37 (KJV) … Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. [36] For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? [37] Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
I watched some little kids play soccer one time, and one of the little girls got confused and started running in the wrong direction. The opposing team gathered around her and protected her as she ran all the way to the wrong goal. The world and the devil want us running in the wrong direction, doing the wrong thing. We are to run our race with Jesus, living our lives each day in His embrace. Jesus said:
John 16:33 (CSB) I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
When we run the race with Christ we run with an Overcomer.
Though tribulation will come the closer you are to Him the more you will see Him and the less you will see the trial. Death is no enemy to the believer focused on Christ. Though a crown awaits the runner in Heaven, the greater crown is the crown of peace that encompasses him who is focused on the Savior.
If you are not running with Jesus, take heed, for you may not be saved.
The salvation that is mere lip service, a salvation that never runs, never grows, never reads and studies God’s Word, that never testifies of the Risen Savior is a dead salvation. The great preacher C. H. Spurgeon stated:
“Although we are sure that men are not saved for the sake of their works, yet are we equally sure that no man will be saved without them; and that he who leads an unholy life, who neglects the great salvation, can never inherit the crown of life which fadeth not away. In one sense, true religion is wholly the work of God; yet there are high and important senses in which we must ourselves “strive to enter in at the straight gate”. We must run a race, we must wrestle even to agony; we must fight a battle before we can inherit the crown of life.”
Those who are saved by faith in Christ are in a heavenly race. Run, that you may obtain. Fight, but with the right focus. Guard your lives, lest you become a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:25 …. they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
The rewards of this life are fleeting. The Apostle said:
1 Peter 1:24-25 (KJV) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Many people run for a temporary, fleeting reward. But when you run the race of life with Jesus your reward is eternal, and your blessing great.
Running A Race Is Not Easy
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: (27) But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Running is not an easy thing. Think about it – when you run, you are moving at a faster than normal pace. Your heels are striking the ground, your body is jarring, you are under tension. There is stress involved in running. Your heart rate increases, and your breathing increases as your lungs try to draw in enough air for your muscles. You may cramp up and have to run through the pain. Running is also repetitious. One foot follows the other in an even rhythm. There must be a steady method in running even as you train. If you are not consistent in training, you will not be effective in the race.
Listen Beloved, Bible reading and study is not easy.
It requires a prayerful consistence, a paying attention to the text, a communion with the Spirit in order that you receive the teaching of the text. The Christian way of life is not easy.
The human race and the Christian race are at odds with one another. The enemy does not want you running.
John 15:18-19 (CSB) If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.
The world hates the Biblical Jesus. The world hates the Jesus Who spoke of God’s righteousness. The world loves the silly, sentimental sappy lowercase jesus that is not found in the Bible. The lowercase jesus who saw the woman taken in adultery and said “Neither do I condemn you”. This lowercase jesus is very popular. But the Jesus who told the woman taken in adultery:
John 8:11 (CSB) “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
The Jesus of the Bible Who spoke against sin is not wanted by the world. The world doesn’t like this Jesus. The world likes the loving, miracle giving Jesus Who wants everyone saved, but rejects the Jesus of the Scripture Who said:
Luke 5:32 (CSB) I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
The word “repent” means to turn from doing it your way and to come to Christ. The world hates REPENT like a Mongoose hates a Cobra.
If you run for Jesus you will be despised of men. Your own children may mock you and misunderstand you. Your co-workers will make fun of you and look for any stumbling in your stride. You will even have other runners in the race who will sit in judgment on you.
The self righteous have always attacked the Children of Faith. The Pharisees and Scribes attacked our Lord Jesus – don’t you think that they will attack you as well? Running is not easy. But we are to run.
A runner is not a swimmer, nor is a runner a sleeper. The runner must be wide awake, and moving in the right medium. The good runner does one thing well – he runs! The tortoise won the race against the hare because the tortoise kept moving at the utmost of his ability. Keep running, keep your eyes on the Word of God, your heart attuned to the leading of the Spirit of God.
A Runner Is FOCUSED
The Bible warns the Christian:
James 1:8 A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.
Make up your minds that you run for Jesus. When Moses came down from the Mountain of God and saw the children of God worshiping naked around the false golden god that great Prophet cried out:
Exodus 32:26 … Who [is] on the LORD’S side? [let him come] unto me. ….
If you are on the Lord’s side, in the heavenly race, then let your mind be single on running for Him. Study His Word, attend His Services, be frequent in both public as swell as private prayer. It may be hard to be at Church after a long day’s work in the marketplace yet – if you are Christians – run the race.
The Runner Runs The Assigned Track With His Teammates
The runner does not choose his track, but goes to the track created. If the marathon is set to start at a certain place in New York city, and to end at another place, you must start where you are told to start and finish where the finish line is drawn. You cannot decide to run the New York marathon in Lexington, Tennessee and expect to win it.
You’re on the right track if you are following Jesus!
Jesus told His disciples (Matthew 4:19) “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. To the young man absorbed in his family Jesus said, (Matthew 8:22) “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead”. To a despised tax collector named Matthew our Lord said (Matthew 9:9) “Follow me” – and Matthew joined the heavenly race. To each and every Christian Jesus says (Matthew 16:24) “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”. To the rich man chasing after money Jesus says (Matthew 19:21) “If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me”. Get on the right track, man, get on the right track woman. The runner must get on the right track. Jesus said:
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honor
Jesus will not follow you on the wrong track. You must follow Him – and if you follow Him then the Father will honor your lives.
A Runner Endures To The End
For The Sake Of The Judge
A runner does not run the race for the pleasure of the crowd, of the bystanders, or of the cheering fans. I remember watching a Marathon where the runner who was winning started bowing as he ran to a cheering crowd. As he did so the man behind him caught up, passed, and won the race.
The one who was winning lost the race and was humiliated because he forgot an important rule of the runner: the runner endures for the sake of the Judge.
We do not run the race for the applause of the watching crowd.
We run the race with Jesus and for God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The runner must lay aside every weight. Lay aside what others think of you. Lay aside your pride. Lay aside the sin that so easily weighs us down. Lay aside even your focus on life itself. Look to Jesus – it is He Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Look to His Word. Look to Him in prayer. Look to Him in Christian fellowship. Keep your eyes on Him. The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest Christians who ever lived, said:
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I have seen so many terrible wrecks in my life.
One of my dearest friends who used to be a pastor wrecked because he took his eyes off of Jesus. Even today he wanders aimlessly through life, a man who led countless others to Christ is no better than a homeless vagabond. I know a preacher who preached one of the best sermons I ever heard “Above The Snake Line” who ended up killing a man. Oh, the lives wasted because people, precious people, take their eyes off of Christ.
The Apostle’s secret to a happy and productive Christian life is outlined here. He ran the race with all certainty. He was focused on His purpose, His calling, and His Master. Paul knew He was saved, knew He was an Apostle, and knew Who called him to salvation and to purpose. The Apostle Paul stayed focused on the disciplines of his faith. He did not beat the air like a shadow boxer, but everything he did was an act of following Jesus.
The Apostle did not want to become disqualified, unapproved, or worthless in the race.
He was saved for a purpose. It is not how well you are running right now that matters. It is not how well you are running tomorrow that matters. It is that you keep on running with Jesus. An unfinished race is a lost race. Drive forward so you can finish well.
Keep on running that you may obtain. We who believe run for an incorruptible crown. Keep your eye on the prize, and one day you will hear the voice of your Beloved:
Matthew 25:23 … Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” ~Will Rogers
Whereever we look, we are constantly being fed the idea that we need more “stuff.” We have 24 hour television channels devoted entirely to enticing us to buy more and more items we don’t really need. Every commercial break is an opportunity to sell to a captive audience. For those who do not watch television; the internet is always open, perpetually stocked with anything a person can imagine. Magazines flaunt the latest gadgets, cars, clothes, makeup, and anything else they are paid to advertise. Within social media, so-called influencers aim to sway the way we live. We are constantly encouraged to be olympic level consumers. The average American household has $5,700 in credit card debt. If we exclude those who pay their credit card off in…
Isaiah 7:9 (KJV) …. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
We’ve been working our way through the Book of Isaiah. Last week we saw that God’s Church is His Garden, and His people His Beloved. We also saw that God calls His people – saved by faith in Christ – to speak the Gospel for His sake. We talked about how God often allows tragedy and valleys to come to our lives to cause us to look up, to trust in Him.
Choose To Serve God, Not Sin
It is in the storms of life that we gather together under the Rock that is our God.
He is our Shelter. He loves us so.
Last week we saw that King Uzziah – a good King who became prideful – died. This brought about national mourning. In the midst of this mourning Isaiah looked up and saw that God was still in control. God is always in control. Oh, that we believed that!
In Chapter 7 we are introduced to King Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah. Uzziah was a king who loved the Lord but became prideful, so God brought him low. Uzziah’s son Jotham ruled in his place, and Jotham was a good king who loved the Lord as well. Jotham built the upper gates of the Temple, but Jotham was a compromiser. Though he loved the Lord he did not destroy the pagan shrines. Jotham is a picture of the disobedient Church in the world today who, rather than profess God’s Word, tries to compromise with the darkness. It is through compromise to God’s Word – unlawful Compromise – that sexual and forbidden sins of every stripe have entered the Church today. God showed Jotham what He thought of compromise with the darkness by sending invading forces against Israel.
When you depart from God in a small way it has a ripple effect. You may disobey God in a small way, but in time it balloons and grows. A LITTLE LEAVEN leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9). A LITTLE GOSSIP snowballs and destroys a life. A LITTLE LIE comes back to haunt you. A LITTLE ARROGANCE grows into outright narcissism. A LITTLE FIRE CRACKER clenched in your fist may seem to be harmless, but a LITTLE SPARK can cause it to blow a finger off. There is nothing LITTLE about SIN and UNBELIEF.
So along comes Ahaz. His grandfather Uzziah became arrogant and tried to offer a sacrifice to God in the Temple. He became leprous for his trouble. His son watched Uzziah suffer for arrogance, so Jotham went in the other direction. He became so timid he wouldn’t even stand up for what God told him to do, and allowed idolatry in his kingdom.
Jotham was in a position to fix the evil, but looked away and ignored it.
And wickedness grew.
Then he had a son called ….
“Ahaz”. His name is the Hebrew verb אחז (ahaz), meaning “to take hold of, seize or grasp, to take possession of”. Ahaz had no faith in God. He was materialistic and greedy and idolatrous. The Bible tells us that Ahaz …
2 Kings 21:6 (CSB) … burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. (also see 2 Kings 16:3-4)
“The pagan god (or, demon, more accurately) Molech was worshipped by heating a metal statue representing the god until it was red hot, then placing a living infant on the outstretched hands of the statue, while beating drums drowned out the screams of the child until it burned to death.”
Ahaz would have killed his son Hezekiah – the next in line to be king – but Hezekiah was hidden and saved by his mother. Under Ahaz the kingdom of Judah became corrupt, wandering far from the Lord. So the Lord brought judgment on Judah. Which brings us where you should be in Isaiah 7.
Isaiah 7:1-2 (KJV) And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. [2] And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Trials Get Our Attention
God often allows tragedy to come to a people to cause them to stop and look up. We all need to be following the Lord. Judah and it’s king had drifted from the King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Now here is a threat, a terrible threat. Syria and Israel are coming after Judah.
Syria is a picture of the unbelieving secular world. Northern Israel is a picture of the unbelieving religious world.
These unbelieving worlds bind themselves together, and they are coming after Judah and its king. I love that phrase:
his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind
Jesus used the picture of the trees moving in the wind as a picture of the Holy Spirit operating in the lives of people. Jesus told a religious unbeliever called Nicodemus:
John 3:6-8 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The WIND BLOWETH WHERE IT LISTETH, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
You must be born again. You must be moved by God. When Ahaz and Judah heard that defeat and death was coming their hearts – so sure of themselves – were moved. They weren’t moved by God’s Spirit, but were moved by fear of what was coming. There was something greater than they that was looming overhead. They were not with God – and their own strength could not prevail. What can they do?
Though Ahaz and Judah were hard hearted the Lord had compassion on that nation. The Lord told Isaiah to go and tell them:
Isaiah 7:4-7 (KJV) And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. [5] Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, [6] Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
[7] Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
God said “Do not fear, and do not be faint hearted”. Though these were two mighty nations God called them “two tails of these smoking firebrands”. What that means is “two pieces of smoking wood that are just about to go out”. God is in control. God loves us. God calls to us. God promises to be with us, and to protect us, and guide us. But we must listen to God. We must believe God.
The Blessings Of God Come Only When We Believe Him
Our God deserves to be believed. He is God, and as God He cannot lie.
Numbers 23:19 (CSB) GOD IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE MIGHT LIE, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?
What God has said, He will do. What God has seen comes to pass. God told Ahaz “these two nations are embers burning out in the campfire” but then God says this:
Isaiah 7:9 (KJV) …. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
If you will not believe God, the blessing is not there.
1 John 5:10 (CSB) … The one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son.
God has always spoken truth. When He told Adam:
Genesis 2:17 (CSB) … you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.
Adam ate. Did he die? Yes, he died immediately spiritually when he dishonored God. “By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin” (Romans 5:12). When God told Noah “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, yet his days shall be 120 years” did He lie? No. 120 years after God told Noah to build an Ark the world flooded, and all died but those on the Ark. God has never told a lie. It is impossible for Him to lie.
Proverbs 30:5 (ESV) Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 33:4 (NLT) For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does.
God is true to His Word for He is true to Himself. He will not lie, nor recant His promise. God told Ahaz “believe me and you’ll be established. But if you will not believe, you shall not be established.”
People have doubted God’s Word before. But God says to them the same thing He said to Ahaz:
Isaiah 7:11 (KJV) Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God;
ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
God says “Try Me. Try and see if I am not true to My Word.” It is evil to provoke God, or to do that which dishonors Him, but God calls out to us saying:
Isaiah 1:18-20 (KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. [19] If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: [20] But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
The Lord says:
Psalms 34:8 (KJV) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
To BELIEVE in God is to try Him, to bring Him intimately into your life. When I came my my office Monday morning I found a doughnut sitting on a plate with a fork in it sitting outside my office. As I looked at the doughnut – never eaten but sitting there wasted – the Lord spoke to my heart. I felt like the Lord was saying “That’s how many people treat Me. They hear My Word. They put it on a plate, stick a fork in it, then walk away never eating it.”
Isaiah 7:9 (KJV) …. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
There is no blessing in a half belief. Jesus told those who followed after Him:
John 6:51-58 (KJV) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. [52] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [53] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. [54] Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Believing God is receiving Him as if His Word is food. Believing God is not just HEARING but DOING what He says. You can look at a picture of food all day long but it will never satisfy your hunger. You can look at a bottle of water all day long but it will never satisfy your thirst. Believing God means to reach out to the promise, to take it to yourself, to try and do what God said try and do.
Faith in God means to cross the Jordan without first sending out spies. Faith in God means to cross the Jordan, believing God is greater than the enemy. Faith in God means advancing to the high ground with Him WHEN HE SAYS. Faith in God means intimately taking Him into your life, For His flesh is meat indeed, and His Blood is drink indeed.
God told Ahaz “Ask Me for a sign if you need it, and I will grant it”. How did Ahaz respond?
Isaiah 7:12 (KJV) But Ahaz said, I will not ask,
neither will I tempt the LORD.
You are not tempting God when you do what He says. You are tempting God when you do NOT do what He says. The judge Gideon was fearful of following God, so he asked a fleece of the Lord. The Lord never rebuked Gideon, and will not rebuke you. Isaiah said to Ahaz:
Isaiah 7:13 (KJV) And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Do you know the Bible says:
Isaiah 40:28 (ESV) …. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary;
God is never weary or tired, exhausted from anything that He does. The Lord rested on the seventh day to show us that He wanted us to rest one day a week, to take time and worship Him (for He is worthy).
Labor does not weary God. UNBELIEF and HARD HEARTEDNESS wearies God.
In fact, unbelief and hard heartedness wearies US. But when we trust in the Lord and do as He says the Bible says:
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Faith in God empowers us for living.
The Sign Of The Virgin Birth
Ahaz refused to trust God or even ask God for a sign, so God gave Ahaz a sign. What is interesting about this sign is that it was not given specifically just to Ahaz, but to the House of David, Judah.
This is the prophecy of the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s end with this wonderful sign.
Isaiah 7:14-16 (KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. [15] Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. [16] For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
“The Lord Himself shall give you a sign”. The House of David, Judah, would have a sign, a miraculous sign from God.
“Behold, a VIRGIN shall conceive”. Some have tried to twist this passage to say that the Hebrew ALMAH (which is rendered “Virgin”) could be “a young woman”. That’s stupid. God is going to show Judah a miracle, and there is no miracle in a young woman conceiving. 360,000 babies are born every day worldwide, or about 15,000 per hour or 250 per minute, or 4 per second. There is no miracle in young women conceiving! But a VIRGIN conceiving is a miracle! Life would come from where life had not been.
“A VIRGIN shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name IMMANUEL”. The name “IMMANUEL” means “God with us”. God would enter humanity through a Virgin. How would we know He is God?
The King James in verse 15 is a little hard to understand. A better translation is the New American Standard here …
He will eat curds and honey at the time
He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good.
What does that mean? In ancient times babies were first fed mother’s milk, then milk curd and honey. Milk curd and honey is much like we would consider Gerber Baby Food today. From the time this Son left His mother’s milk and began to eat His first solid foods He would know enough to refuse evil and choose good. This is not normal in a child, but this is supernatural. This is God in the flesh, God with us.
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He was born of a Virgin (Matthew 1:23). The Holy Spirit came upon the Virgin Mary, and through God’s power she conceived the Christ (Luke 1:35). The Word of God Who was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-2) “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). God became Man, perfect Man, so that He could lead us to Himself. Of this miracle the Apostle said:
1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Oh, that you would believe on Him! Oh, that you would receive Him as Lord and Savior. God finished by telling Ahaz …
BEFORE the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings
Before the Child comes the land of Israel will fall, and Jerusalem will lose both of her kings. She will lose the King of Judah, and she will lose the King of Kings. Why? Because of unbelief.
Isaiah 7:9 (KJV) …. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Without faith you cannot be blessed. Without faith you cannot be saved. Without faith God cannot give you His promise of eternal life and peace. Receive Him. Believe that He was born in this life for you, incarnate for you. Trust Him and see.
Isaiah 8:1-4 (KJV) Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz. [2] And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. [3] And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. [4] For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
God’s people were facing a great enemy. That enemy was FEAR. When we FEAR, we often do what we should not do.
FEAR leads to worry, stress, and sickness.
We should FEAR GOD, but that doesn’t mean to be terrified of Him.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13(ESV) And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?
To “Fear God” is to hold Him in higher regard than anyone or anything else. To walk in His ways, to love Him, to serve Him without reserve, to do what He says. This is fearing God. King Solomon said:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV) The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
In chapter 8 we are introduced to a child named Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Who is Maher-shalal-hash-baz? He is the second child of Isaiah.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz Is A Sign
God came to Isaiah and said:
Isaiah 8:1 (KJV) Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
Back in Isaiah’s day paper wasn’t something you just ran to Walmart and bought. The Bible of Isaiah’s day was written on long rolls of animal skins or papyrus, a paper-like product made by painstakingly crushing the stalks of the papyrus plant, then pressing them together under pressure until it dried.
Writing material was time consuming and costly. You didn’t just waste it. God told Isaiah “take thee a great roll” – a very big roll of writing material – and write in it with an ordinary pen “Maher-shalal-hash-baz”. What in the world is Maher-shalal-hash-baz?
In Isaiah’s day soldiers were paid a wage, but not much. Sometimes soldiers were paid in salt, hence the phrase “He’s worth his salt”. You didn’t get rich as a soldier. But there was a reward for being a really good soldier.
Soldiers were allowed to keep what they killed.
They were allowed the spoils of war. The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 specifically prohibits the looting of civilian property during wartime, but this was not so during the American Civil (Sherman’s March to the Sea or the Savannah Campaign) nor among the ancients. When soldiers came into an area to attack they would cry out:
Maher-shalal-hash-baz
Which means “Quick is the loot, because easy is the prey”. Maher-shalal-hash-baz was a cry of encouragement
to those ransacking another people.
It was a cry of confidence that the enemy made as he raped and pillaged his way through the countryside. No one wanted to hear this cry lifted up against their nation or against their family. It was chilling. God told Isaiah to take a large scroll – a journal if you would – and write Maher-shalal-hash-bazin it.
Isaiah 8:2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
Since God commanded this Isaiah treated it with all reverence.
He took two faithful witnesses to watch him do as God said.
This reminds me of what Jesus said:
Matthew 18:20 (ESV) For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
God loves to see the obedience of His people.
Isaiah could have debated God. “God, why do You want me to write down that hideous word Maher-shalal-hash-baz? We often lose blessing when we debate God rather than honor Him. Isaiah loved and honored his Lord! God blesses us when we honor Him. What we read next is very interesting.
Isaiah 8:3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son.
What? When I first read this I was confused, but it’s not confusing when you understand who the prophetess is. The “prophetess” is Isaiah’s wife. Isaiah is the Prophet, and his wife is the Prophetess. Some of you call me “Preacher” and call my wife “Mrs Preacher”. That’s what is going on here. You see, when God brings a man and a woman together it is as Adam said:
Genesis 2:24 (ESV) Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and THEY SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.
When God calls a man, he also calls the wife. They are ONE FLESH. What God tells one to do, he tells the other. Isaiah was called to be a Prophet, and his wife – ONE FLESH – was a PROPHETESS. So Isaiah goes home that night after loving God and he loves his wife – and she conceives.
Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV) Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! …
Isaiah loves God, Isaiah loves his wife, God blesses them both with a child. But then God tells Isaiah:
Isaiah 8:3 (KJV) Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
In ancient times the father named the child. “Mary will bear a Son and you, Joseph, shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). God tells Isaiah “Your son will be named Maher-shalal-hash-baz”. I would have liked to have seen his wife’s face when he told her that her child would be named a battle cry
“Quick is the loot, because easy is the prey”
We don’t always understand the why or the purpose of God, but if God tells you to do something you should trust and obey. As that old song goes, “Trust and obey. For there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus. Just trust and OBEY. Isaiah trusted and obeyed.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz Is A Sign Of PUNISHMENT
Maher-shalal-hash-baz is first of all a sign of PUNISHMENT to all who put their faith in man. Assyria is coming after Judah, seeking to destroy it because of their unbelief. Rather than repent, Ahaz the King and much of the nation looked to other fallen nations – Syria and Samaria – for protection.
God said
Isaiah 8:4 (KJV) For before the child (Maher-shalal-hash-baz) shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
Those whom Judah trusted in will be defeated before the child Maher-shalal-hash-baz is able to say “Ma Ma” or “Da Da”. Syria and Samaria will fall. But those who trusted in Syria and Samaria will also fall.
Isaiah 8:6 (KJV) Forasmuch as this people refuseth the WATERS OF SHILOAH that go softly..
The “waters of Shiloah” refers to a small fountain that sent a little stream through the city of Jerusalem. It was a beautiful babbling brook that flowed quietly, and provided nourishment to the city.
The waters of Shiloah were symbolic of the quiet
but sure provision of God to His people.
The people turned away from the God Who provided their needs quietly and daily, and instead turned to two man made rivers called Syria and Samaria. Had Judah turned to God they would have found Him faithful.
Psalm 46:4-5 (ESV) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
God was in the midst of Judah daily. He flowed like a sure fountain of Living Water through Jerusalem, quietly loving His people by meeting their needs.
John 7:37-39 (ESV) On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive
John 4:13-14 (ESV) Jesus said to {the Samaritan woman}, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The people refused the salvation and protection of God, instead putting their faith in the strength of man.
Isaiah 8:6 (KJV) Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
They REJECTED God and REJOICED in the strength of Rezin (King of Syria) and Remaliah’s son (King of Samaria). For turning away from God the Lord said:
Isaiah 8:7-8 (KJV) Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: [8] And he shall pass through Judah…
Because Judah refused the waters of Shiloah – of God – the Lord would cause the River of Assyria to overflow Judah. Assyria would come and possess the land that God’s people should have. Judah would not be fully destroyed.
he shall overflow and go over, he shall REACH EVEN TO THE NECK; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
The River would cover Judah “up to the neck”. He would not drown Judah, but the River would possess, hinder, and make uncomfortable while controlling Israel. Thus it is when we put our trust in man. The Bible declares:
Psalm 84:12 (NASB) O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV) Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
God wishes to bless His people, but cannot if His people will not trust Him. God promised all those who bound themselves to Assyria that they would be crushed. The Lord said:
Isaiah 8:9-10 (KJV) Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. [10] Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
Those who bound themselves to Syria and Samaria would fall with them. Be careful where you hitch the wagon of your faith. We who are His must not bind ourselves to the darkness.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
God will protect His own. Therefore do not bind together with the darkness, or God will yoke you with what you bound to.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz Is Also
A Sign Of PRECIOUS PROMISE
Maher-shalal-hash-baz is not only a sign to the unbelieving that judgment is coming, but also a sign of blessing to the believer who follows the Lord. Do you remember that God told Isaiah to:
Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen
concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
Isaiah was to start a journal or a life history of Maher-shalal-hash-baz, a man who would be his son. This was a great roll. His son would live to a great old age. Furthermore, his son would be named Maher-shalal-hash-baz. What is the significance of this?
The only time Isaiah would hear the battle cry of Maher-shalal-hash-baz was when he or his wife called out his son’s name.
Isaiah and all those who loved the Lord would be protected.
While the unbelieving heard the shouts of the Assyrian soldier…
“Quick is the loot, because easy is the prey”
this would not be shouted over Isaiah nor those who loved the Lord.
The Lord promises to care for His own.
As long as the believer stands WITH God the Lord stands OVER us. The King’s heart is a stream of water directed by the Lord, He guides it where ever He wants (Proverbs 21:1)
The Assyria that would be a cursing to the unbeliever would be a blessing to Isaiah and God’s Children. God told Isaiah:
Isaiah 8:11-15 (KJV) For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should NOT WALK IN THE WAY OF THIS PEOPLE, saying, [12] Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. [13] Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. [14] And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. [15] And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
God said “Don’t you worry, Isaiah, and don’t let fear cause you to do as they do. Follow Me. Set your mind on Me. Do as I say. Love Me, and I will protect you. They will fall who trust Syria and Samaria, but those who love Me will be blessed!”
No matter how powerful your enemies may seem, God is greater. God is always greater!
Psalm 33:10-11 (ESV) The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
God is the strength and Protector of His people.
Isaiah 12:2 (ESV) Behold, GOD IS MY SALVATION; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.
God is not only the God Who saved us by His Blood (Acts 20:28), but He is the God Who keeps on saving us. God did not save us by His Great Sacrifice of Calvary, only to abandon us whom He loved with His dying breath. God gave the greatest price He could for us on that old Rugged Cross. God will not abandon His Children – but we must be careful not to abandon Him.
Several years later Ahaz’s son, King Hezekiah would be threatened by Assyria. Hezekiah would not look for an alliance among the childfren of men, but unlike his father Ahaz turned to the Lord his God.
Isaiah 37:15-20 (ESV) … Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 16 “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 18 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 20 So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT YOU ALONE ARE THE LORD.”
Whereas Ahaz focused manward, his son Hezekiah focused Godward. He sought his salvation and the salvation for his nation from Almighty God. How did God reply?
Isaiah 37:33-35 (ESV) Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. 35 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.
And God defended His people. The Bible tells us that that very night the “angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people rose early in the morning, these were all dead bodies. Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home and lived at Ninevah. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god … his sons struck him down with the sword… (Isaiah 37:33-35).
God will take care of you.
Just as God had Isaiah start a journal – from a LARGE ROLL – on his son Maher-shalal-hash-baz, God has a plan for your life. He wants to bless you. He wants to save you, and keep on saving you. God will not bless faith in man, but will bless faith in Him. We are called to do as Isaiah and say:
Isaiah 8:17 (KJV) And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
God hides His face from unbelief, but looks with love upon the believer. Let us believe Him. Let us trust His Christ. Let us hear His Word, and do what He says. We are to hear Him, not Satan, not the world, but Him. He loves you. The Father sent the Son for you. The Son died, and rose again for you. The Son sent the Spirit to indwell you.
bibleteacher.org 