Read Isaiah 5
Highlights:
God's judgment upon sinners; Isaiah's vision of God's holiness; his prayer for Israel; Christ's birth and Kingdom foretold.
Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord (Is. 7:11-12).
The kingdoms of Israel and Syria joined forces and declared war against the kingdom of Judah. This was done in revenge because Ahaz, king of Judah, refused to join them in a war against Assyria.
It was during this time that God sent Isaiah to tell King Ahaz that his kingdom would not be defeated by these two nations. To assure him of victory, God told Ahaz: Ask for a sign (7:11). But Ahaz refused to ask for a sign of assurance concerning the outcome of the war. He did not have faith in God's Word and proceeded with his own scheme to seek help from the king of Assyria.
When our lives are not in right standing with God, we will find it hard to trust in anything, especially the promises of God. If we do not study the Word of God, it is next to impossible to have a total confidence in the lessons it proclaims.We must read, study, and believe God's Word. Then these promises become real to us. Ahaz could not trust in that which he had no belief. The only path to ultimate victory is a full belief, trust, and dependence on God Himself and His Word. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His Name (John 20:31).
Even though the king was unfaithful to God in this hour of national crisis, God gave Israel further insight concerning the supernatural nature of the coming Messiah, saying: His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6). We serve a truly loving God who, even in our disobedience, causes the promise of Christ to still be proclaimed over our lives. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).
When we begin to read and believe God's Word, former fears will no longer seem so great. The Word of God will give us every assurance we need of what is to come in the future. There is no need to fear tomorrow when you have a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord. He is the One who holds tomorrow in His hands. Therefore, we can have confidence in the future as we allow God's Word to become part of us by hearing and obeying it. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
Thought for Today:
The Truth of God's Word will set us free from worry, fear, and inner conflict.
Christ Revealed:
Isaiah reveals that a Child shall be born; a Son shall be given; and that the government shall be upon His shoulder (Is. 9:6). The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11:15).
Word Studies:
5:1 vineyard, the Israelites; 5:5 go to, listen to Me; 5:23 reward, bribes; 7:16 abhorrest, hate, despise; 8:21 hardly bestead, sorely distressed, hard pressed; 9:9 stoutness, arrogance.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Dr. John A. Hash • Staff: Chris Robison • Government Official: Rep. Dan Boren (OK) • Country: Nigeria (113.8 million) in western Africa • Major languages: English and Hausa • Government permits all types of religious activity • 45% Muslim (largely Sunni); 40% Christian; 9% Indigenous; 6% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray to be sensitive in giving God the praise for everything you do (Ps. 95:7).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 10
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:10