Do not let your heart be faint
Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power. Psalm 21:13
Read Isaiah 7:1—9
Picture the scene. Isaiah takes his son to meet the king. A simple boy before a king. The king is distraught, and all Jerusalem with him. Isaiah’s son’s name means ‘a remnant shall return.’ So, says this boy, by his silent presence, not a word from his lips, ‘Stand firm. Remain true to God. Let God carry you through.’ But, against the overwhelming powers of history, it is so much easier to scheme than to trust the Lord. Syria and Samaria want to replace Ahaz with a king who will ally with them against Assyria. Ahaz schemes. In the event he responds by joining Assyria against them. I can read the result of that in 2 Kings 16. He has corrupted his faithfulness to God. He becomes a little Assyrian client and he cannot keep himself free of Assyria’s gods. It’s rather chilling. I wonder, what idols am I submitting to? That come with my culture? That I submit to in order to feel secure? And may not even know I am doing it?
Lord of all history, you have the most powerful people of my time in your hand, and you have me. They show their power in politics; they exercise pervading influence in media and celebrity, and they infiltrate my mind. They shape my desires. They will each stand before you, as I will. They are each made to be humble before you, just as I am. Apart from this knowledge, when I recognise their abuse of power and influence my heart faints. Then I understand the temptation of Ahaz. Save me from his disgrace. Let me see that young boy standing as silent witness, ‘Stand firm. Remain true to God. Let God carry you through.’ You allow the events of my history so that I will learn to do that. I pray that in the tests I face, even those I have faced today, I may see the victory of God and discover the true privilege of faithfulness to you.