If You Will Not Believe...           Carl McMurray

 

In Isaiah 7 there is an interesting account of Israel partnering with Aram to fight against Judah. How discouraging and intimidating that must have been for Judah and Ahaz, their king. However, the Lord spoke to Ahaz through Isaiah and told him not to fear these two “stubs of smoldering firebrands.”  In other words, these enemies of Judah were not going to last long; they were pretty much burned out already and not worthy of fear or panic.

 

The words from God in verse 9 however almost jump off the page. In the midst of calming the fears of the king, God/Isaiah reminds Ahaz, “If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.” Isn’t that the truth?

 

True belief, or faith always seems to be the key. Not just mouthing the words, having faith without works as James chapter two talks about; but faith that is shown in obedience as Abraham showed when he offered up his son, Isaac. The kind of faith demonstrated by those heroes in Hebrews chapter 11 like Gideon and Barak who led untrained and unarmed bands of men against experienced. well-armed fighters far outnumbering their own ranks, just because God said to. Like Samson, who fought a lonely, one-man guerilla warfare on the Israelite border for 20 years and kept the Philistines from invading Israel. Like Jepthah who, although successfully making his way in life as a frontier mercenary, had such trust in God he was willing to vow his own family members to spiritual service in order to leave that way of life and take his place over God’s people.

 

God loves his children and seems always ready to help His people, but he always asks for a real, working, obedient faith in order to get involved.

 

What fears are you wrestling with in your life? What kinds of enemies do you see camping round about and making plans for your downfall? If you are child of God there can be do doubt that somewhere back down the chain of command the Devil is giving the orders. The Lord has come down off the cross however, and stepped out of the grave. He sits on a throne and cares for His people. He desires to calm your fears and quiet the voices that cause you to either panic or be discouraged. He has not forgotten you or left you to be overcome alone.

 

He does remind us though of this, “If you will not believe. you surely shall not last.” He desires us to commit our decisions and our plans to Him. You CAN outlast the enemy with His help. Hebrew 13:5-6.