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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Isaiah proclaimed, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). I praise you today for the gift of the child who was born in Bethlehem, for that son is Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior! Glory to the Prince of Peace! Today in Your Word Today you told me how Ahaz became even more idolatrous after the death of his godly father Jotham. Not content with the false gods he already worshipped, Ahaz imported idolatry from Syria. His reasoning astounds me: Syria had defeated him, so he thought Syria’s gods might help him. This completely ignored the fact that Assyria had just defeated Syria! It shows how warped people’s thinking becomes when they give themselves over to idolatry. Rather than trusting you, Ahaz trusted Assyria. The result? Judah became a vassal state to Assyria, and the temple was left in shambles. In the midst of this wickedness, Isaiah continued to prophesy. He foretold the coming of a righteous king, Jesus the Messiah, whose reign would stand in marked contrast to Ahaz. Jesus would bring light to the people who walked in darkness, and those who believed in his name would become his “children” (cf. Isa 8:18; John 1:12; Heb 2:11–13). Isaiah even predicted that Jesus would minister in the region of Galilee (Isa 9:1). This was fulfilled when Jesus went and lived in Capernaum in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali (cf. Matt 4:12–17). Isaiah then warned the people that you would judge both Judah and Assyria. Indeed, Assyria was nothing more than a club in your hand (Isa 10:15). Isaiah also looked ahead to a distant future: the millennial reign of Christ. In that day, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa 11:9b). How I look forward to that glorious day! Reflection In Ahaz’s time of trouble, he “became yet more unfaithful to the Lord” (2 Chr 28:22). Trials can draw me closer to you or drive me farther down the path of sin. The choice is up to me. Request Father, help me turn to you when I encounter various trials. Give me strength to endure to the end, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2–4). Thanksgiving “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted. For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isa 12:4–6 NASB). Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “To Us a Child of Hope is Born” — John Morrison. Meditation Verse: Isaiah 11:6. |