Discover His heart: Through our trust in Him, He will cause us to stand firm
A few years ago I was attempting to change a less-than-pleasant diaper on my one-year old grandson. Doing what little ones do at this age, he was kicking up a storm and trying to turn over, and I realized that Jett was not as focused on the task at hand as I was. I caught his eye and said, “Work with me here, baby boy, work with me,” and he stopped long enough to give me one of those smiles that lights up my world and then went back to kicking. I knew my only recourse was to provide a distraction and handed him one of his favorite toys. With that, the kicking and turning stopped, the diaper was changed and I was victorious. Let’s hear it for Nonna!
In Isaiah’s day, Judah was facing the threat of attack by Assyria, and its king was struggling with it, turning this way and that, seeking help from everyone but God. Isaiah was sent by God to make the change in Judah’s focus, but it sure wasn’t easy.
@ Isaiah 7
As Judah’s King Ahab struggled in his decision with whom to join forces against the invading army – Israel and Syria or Assyria itself – Isaiah came with a message from God encouraging Judah to ally with God, to trust in Him. “Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.” (9) In essence, God was saying something similar to, “Work with me here, Judah, work with me.” God could not help Judah stand firm against the enemy unless Judah would place its faith and trust in Him.
@ Isaiah 8
Isaiah shared God’s message with Judah, calling them to change their focus, “The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, ‘Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe.’” (11-14) Don’t get caught up in the struggle of it all, focused on who did what and when, but change your focus to the One who will help you and keep you safe. “Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.” (20)
Whether we are focused on the struggles of our nation or the struggles in our own personal lives, God’s word to Judah is powerful to us as well. Through His Word I believe God is saying to each one of us “Work with me, dear one, work with me. I can’t help you stand strong in your struggle unless you put your trust and faith firmly in me.” We have to give Him something to work with and not struggle against Him or turn from Him.
God warned not to think like everyone else does, focused on the struggle and the advice of those who do not know Him, but rather be distracted by His instructions and teachings in His Word. Keep focused on God’s Word and His counsel, and, in fact, remind others of it, “Preserve the teaching of God; entrust his instructions to those who follow me.” (16) This is how we perpetuate faith and trust in God to those who are watching our lives, our children and those near to us, through our focus on God’s Word in the time of struggle. At the end of the day, we will be victorious!
Moving Forward: I’m focusing on God and His word, giving Him something to work with, so that I will stand firm through any challenge I may face today.
Tomorrow @ Matthew 3-4
Phyllis Benigas 