Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 7 verse 4, “Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint,” (NRSVB). God instructed Isaiah to take his son, Shear-jashub, which means “a remnant shall return,” to speak to the king of Judah, Ahaz, of the House of David. Isaiah had to encourage Ahaz to be strong and courageous, and not fear the treaty between the House of Israel, (called Ephraim) with the mighty nation of Syria. Isaiah’s son was to be a witness to this talk and to serve as a reminder that God will not allow the House of David to fall and be destroyed. Despite the onslaught of the enemies and their allies, Judah will survive, and return to rebuild the Jewish nation. Through Isaiah, God commanded King Ahaz to ask for a token of sign of God’s promised blessing, but Ahaz stated that he would not ask for a sign, he would take God at his word. God promised his deliverance and his blessing, even in this time of war and enemy invasion. History tells us that Ahaz did not heed Isaiah’s prophecies, but introduced idolatry in Judah. The result following this disobedience was also prophesied, the Babylonian Captivity. The prophecies of Isaiah included the ultimate restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the coming of the Kingdom of God. Then the Jews and Gentiles will praise the Lord of Israel together, and acknowledge his redemptions by inheriting the new heaven and the new earth. “Arise, shine and be radiant with the glory of the Lord, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you,” Isaiah 59 verse 1, (Amplified Bible). God’s promises are performed through the ages. His designs and plans are to announce his eternal kingdom of peace.
Keeping the faith, amidst the trials of life, resounds constantly in the messages of God’s prophets, apostles, preachers and teachers. It is this hope of God’s promise of restoration that anchors us in times of world-wide turmoil and suffering. God has not forgotten his promises to our fore-fathers of faith. When calamity strikes God reaffirms his proposals and plans as he sends forth his messengers to proclaim his saving grace and salvation. Instead of becoming increasingly fearful and crying with the hopeless cries of unbelief, God reignites in us the flame of belief and hope, “Lord, I believe! Constantly help my weakness of faith,” as we read in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9 verse 24, (Amplified Bible).
When we observe the world around us, listening to the news that we receive via all different kinds of media, we rightfully feel at loss and fearful. The news that we receive is only telling us one part of the story, the part that is perceived through the physical eyes of humans and the realm of the knowledge of humans. There is another side to the story of the history that we live every day. That is the spiritual side, the side that our mortal eyes cannot behold. God is in the very moment of each and every day, and he will not let his purposes for the restoration of the world and her people, and the return to faithful worship and acknowledgement of Christ as King be annulled. We have to look away from the waves and the storm clouds. We have to tune our ears to hear the songs of the heavenly hosts who also come and tell us today, “Behold, we bring you glad tidings!” As we reflect on the bad news being broadcast across the world, let us be strengthened by the words of the Apostle Paul as he wrote in the First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 16 verse 13, “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong,” (NRSVB).
Father, we pray that you will turn the plans and trajectories that purpose evil, to bring about good and to prosper your children, this we pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.