I have not been feeling a hundred percent the last few days, but I still have to get everything done. So this morning I prayed that the Lord would bless my body with the strength to get me through the next few days until I can get some rest. Carry on, Carry on, Carry on!
2 Kings 15-16
In chapter 15 we briefly saw 35 years of turmoil and wickedness. Idolatry, conspiracies, and war are rampant during this time and Assyria has captured much of Israel.
Chapter 16 brings us back to Judah and king Ahaz. This king is given a unique description for a king of Judah, "he walked in the way of the kings of Israel" (2 Kings 16:3). Ahaz is going to follow the the example of the wicked kings of Israel. He is so bad that he institutes child sacrifice in the name of worshipping Molech. He even sacrifices his own son! This becomes one of the lowest points in the nation of Judah’s history.
Meanwhile, Syria and Israel have teamed up to come against Judah. They have had some victories, but haven't been able to over throw Judah. Judah is in a panic, they need a plan. Their current plan seems to be to worship anything that they think will help. They are described as having hearts that are "as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind" (Isaiah 7:2). They are easily distracted from God.
Now is the time that God sends the prophet Isaiah to Ahaz with a message. We find this message recorded in Isaiah chapter 7. There are a few points made in the Lord's message to Ahaz that I thought were interesting:
"Take heed, and be quiet;" (v 4)
Notice the first thing the Lord has Isaiah say to these people who were wavering in fear, "Take heed and be quiet." This is a common message from the Lord for those who are filled with worry and fear. Be still.
Why does the Lord do that? I think it is because he knows our tendency to complain, to react in a worldly way in the mist of difficulties. Instead of praying and resting, we react. The Lord knows how damaging that can be. He tells us:
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalms 46:10)
"In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:" (Isa 30:15).
There is a need for being still, for waiting on the Lord, and waiting for the Lord. We wait to hear His voice and to know His will. We wait to know He is God.
"fear not, neither be fainthearted" (v 4)
So after Isaiah tells them to be quiet he tells them that they don't need to fear. Why? Because the enemies are just 'smoking firebrands' (smoking sticks that have been in the fire). When Ahaz looked at the enemy he saw a terrible threat, when God looked at them he saw two stubs of smoking sticks. To the Lord, they were all smoke and no fire! It is interesting how we see things so different from God.
Why does God give them that description? It is because He sees what Ahaz doesn't, He knows the plans of the enemy and He knows, "It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass" (Isa 7:7).
"If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." (v 9)
Basically what He is saying is, "If you are not going to believe the word of the Lord then you will not be established." What does the Lord mean by the word established? He means creating a relationship with Him on a firm, permanent basis. A relationship that cannot be shaken from its foundation.
If the people of Judah choose to believe in God, they will strengthen their relationship with Him and they can receive all the blessings that come from that, including protection. If they choose not to believe, they will continue to be shaken, tossed about, and scared. Anything but established!
This is such a good word for us to consider. Just as God wanted Judah to be established with Him, He also wants us to establish a strong relationship with Him. This verse gives us the key to how to establish this type of relationship: Believing in the Lord and acting on it.
A good example of this principle is in Proverbs 24:
"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Pro 24:3-4)
Wisdom is knowledge applied! It is putting what we know and understand into practice. Believe and be ESTABLISHED!
So God gives this word of assurance to Ahaz and this challenge – will you believe and be established or will you not believe and be tossed? Sadly, the king will choose to believe in another man and his army, instead of God.
We have all found ourselves in a position where we have to step out in faith and take God for His word or we choose a more worldly answer. We do not always choose God's way, but other times we will, and when we do we are building a stronger foundation. I once heard a pastor say, "Faith is not a trampoline, it is a rock!" I like that analogy.
Be Still, Fear Not, and Believe is the message I found in these verses. It led me to ask myself, am I willing to listen, trust, and have faith in the Lord? Do I want to be tossed around or do I want the security of knowing where I stand? Although being tossed around on a trampoline is fun for a while, I always want to get back to steady ground. The same is true with my relationship with God, it is sometimes fun to be a part of the world, but I always come back to the steadiness of the gospel. That is where I find my greatest blessings!
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