Immanuel, God with Us
Scripture Passage: Isaiah 7:10-17 (NASB)
10 Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask for a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I put the Lord to the test!” 13 Then he said, “Listen now, house of David! Is it too trivial a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. 16 For before the boy knows enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be abandoned. 17 The Lord will bring on you, on your people, and on your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim separated from Judah—the days of the king of Assyria.”
SUMMARY
God ensures king Ahaz that the allied enemies’ plots would fail and told Ahaz to ask for a sign that would help him believe. Ahaz refused to ask for a sign. God gives King Ahaz a sign: a virgin will bear a son, “Immanuel”. Before the child is weaned and gains a sense of right and wrong, God will come to be with the people, to act in judgment and salvation.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
I read from the beginning of Isaiah chapter 7. Isaiah 7:2 shown us how the hearts of king Ahaz and his people were shaken by their allied enemies. God sent Isaiah to say to Ahaz, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid, do not lose heart…. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (Isaiah 7:4a, 9b) In the beginning of today’s passage, God is willing to reveal His divine power to king Ahaz that he can ask a sign that can be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. Instead of asking God to demonstrate His power to him, Ahaz wanted no sign to be shown and stated that he will not test the Lord. King Ahaz already made up his mind to rely on Assyria. 2 Kings 16:7-9 shown that Ahaz took treasures in the temple of the Lord to send as gifts to the king of Assyria and offered to be servant of Assyria. Despite king Ahaz’s distrust, God gives promises and truth. In His promises, I saw God’s faithfulness. He wants to give his people “Immanuel” – God with us. He commands “refuse evil and choose good”, He shows that what seemed to be a threat at the moment would not destroy the house of David. He tells King Ahaz what he attempts to rely on, the help from Assyria, is what would bring disasters to his people.
When I meditate on His promise of salvation, especially in the celebration season of Christmas during the Covid-19 pandemic, I was reminded of His faithfulness, sovereignty, mercy, and grace. Although this Christmas may not be the same as any Christmas I had before, I reflected on my heart. Am I being shaken by the combination of fear for pandemic and fatigue of social isolation? Do I stand firm in my faith? Or is my mind made up to rely on testing, vaccines, and new antiviral meds to end this pandemic? Or to rely on movies, gathering, or gifts to avoid the feeling of loneliness? Prophet Isaiah warns Ahaz that the bigger threats are the worldly allies he sought. Those solutions and comforts I seek from the world could easily just perish or turn into disappointment. God told his people thousand years ago, and He still speaks to me today. His greatest gift for us is “Immanuel”. The salvation He granted us though Jesus Christ and God’s presence with us are way more powerful than this world can offer us. Do I still have that faith to ask God for His sign that can be as high as heaven?
APPLICATION
As the Covid-19 vaccines rolled out from different manufacturers this month, I found myself eagerly watching and waiting to know results and potential adverse reactions. In today’s quiet time, God reminded me that He is the one I should rely on and His divine power is way above what men can made. I repented for my little faith. And regained the desire to pray and plead for His mercy again.
PRAYER
Abba Father, thank you for your salvation. Thank you for being with us and fighting this battle for us. I pray that many lonely souls like mine can find joy in You today and encounter You personally. May You reveal to us the true meaning of Christmas and cherish our relationship with You. Help me rely on You. I pray that Your divine power can heal many affected by covid19. I pray that Your breath will sustain the lives for those who are infected and hospitalized. I pray that Your comfort is with many who lost their families and friends. In the name of Jesus, we pray.
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