Isaiah 7 - Promise of Sign; Immanuel

Judah is in trouble. Ahaz, the king, is in trouble. Judah is about to be invaded. The LORD sends  Isaiah to him with a promise of hope. The LORD spoke to him, through Isaiah, the promise of a sign, who is Immanuel, in spite of the fact that Ahaz was worshipped other gods. Ahaz... "Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and also made idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his children in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.  (2 Chron 28:1b-4 NIV)

The LORD gives this promise of of a sign of hope to this wretched sinner. He has given us this sign. He has given us Immanuel, God with us, in Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that even though God wanted to help Ahaz, Ahaz never gave up his false gods and turned to worship the one true God. Will we?

For those who aren't reading the Bible, please read it. There is so much that you will miss if you don't. But, for the benefit of those who will not, I'm including the verses that are most familiar from this chapter to so many...  "Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."  (Isa 7:13-14)

God's Peace - Pr. J

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." (Isa 7:9b)

Psalm 79 - Thy Kingdom Come This New Year

O God, the nations have indeed invaded your inheritance! (Psalm 79:1)

And.. not just the nations, but, we, we who are His children, have defiled the temple of God.  We, have neglected the worship and praise due to One who loves us so dearly. We wait for a miracle or two or three and then we will believe, truly believe and trust in the LORD. We, who are His people, have turned our backs on Him and share in the sins of past generations. He will not hold against us our ancestor's sins.  However, sadly, we have inherited their sins.  We have learned them. We have repeated them and, yet, we say, we have no sin.

It is the eve of a new year.  Repent, turn to the LORD, live life more fully in His kingdom.  Make this year a sweeter one.  Make this world a more joyful and peaceful one.  Even as we trust that He answers our prayer: "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Turn back and rejoice in the LORD now.  Begin a new thing, something that has been lost for a few generations:  Praise the LORD now, even before you can see with your eyes the blessings that the LORD has given you, has given us.  Praise the LORD, all you children of God.  Praise Him and give Him thanks for those things which, through faith, you have received.

God's blessings on your new year. And... may the peace of God be extended through you to all people.

Pr. J.