"Nation"

Wk 2 Day 6

Isaiah 7:7-9
⁷ Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
" 'It will not take place,
it will not happen,

⁸ for the head of Aram is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.

⁹ The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son.
If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.' "

// THOUGHTS:

.. Rezin, and Pekah (all kings) were planning to invade Judah
.. King Ahaz was afraid of the invasion that was threatened for them to happen. (v. 5-6)
.. The Lord used Isaiah to let them know to "Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart..." (v. 4)
.. God assured them that "it will not take place, it will not happen" (v.7)
.. However, they also MUST stand firm in the the faith or they will not stand at all (v. 9b)
.. The sign God will give for this victory is the Immanuel (v. 14) - JESUS - the Saviour of this world, the ultimate person who will save the whole world from their sins
.. But the conditional is there - STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH or you will not stand at all.

// BELLE:

.. Of course, many have played out the cliche "Jesus is the answer!" but it still holds true.
.. How do these things apply to me?
.. There will probably be threats that will come my way; threats of things that will "ruin" my "nation"
.. Yet, I must remember that IF the Lord resides in that nation and I will keep my faith, I will be able to stand strong - nothing will harm me or my "nation"
.. Jesus (the Immanuel, the sign) has already defeated things in my life and my "nation", and I have Him IN my life.
.. I just need to believe, trust, and do what I'm supposed to do - remain in the fear of God and walk in righteousness
.. A great promise of protection with a great condition that I also have to do.
.. I will not choose otherwise - I am sold to do what pleases God, what honors His name, and what will ultimately bring glory to Him
.. I do not need to be afraid to face various threats in life - even to the point a threat of the destruction of my "nation"
.. Psalm 55:22b reminds me "he will never let the righteous fall." if I cast my cares upon Him; trusting and believing in His promises as I remain in His righteousness

// God, You are just amazing. Thank you for your promises that allows me to not fear of things in this world; but only fear of You alone. Without You, my life and my "nation" would be a disaster. I pray that the threats that I may face in life and for my "nation" will not shake me to the point of fear - for you are the only one I fear. Help me to trust in You daily and to choose You in my life regardless of what's going on. Thank you for the assurance. Empower me to do the impossible and to fight the battles in life with great power because YOU ARE IN ME. All this I lift up to You in Jesus' name, amen.