Stand Firm in Your Faith

 Write From My Heart

Isaiah 7:9 (NIV)  If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

            Beginning with very brief  background information we find Assyria at the time of this passage to be flexing its muscles and threatening vast expansion intent upon swallowing nations in its path. Aram and Israel have joined in alliance. Judah is terrified and left fearful of what is to come, “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart…” (v. 6). Just when it is needed the most, the Lord speaks through his prophet Isaiah to bring words of encouragement, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…” (v. 4).

            How does this apply to us? There is no doubt that each generation looks about at their surroundings and finds the world growing bleaker with each passing year. Years prior to Isaiah’s message of encouragement to Judah, we find King Solomon identifies the problem with pinpoint accuracy:

Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NIV)  This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.

            Well now, that pretty well sums it up, doesn’t it? Today we stand on the edge of watching nations invade other nations, rumors of war loom dangerously near, politics crumble and crush all in its path, and wickedness abounds on many levels. There is only one way to persevere through it all… stand firm in your faith! I am reminded of a favorite old hymn “Standing on the Promises” written by R. Kelso Carter.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living word of God I shall prevail.

Standing on the promises of God.

God’s instruction to Judah during Isaiah’s time is just as relevant for us today:

Isaiah 7: 4 (NIV)  Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            We become so overwhelmed when we see the decay of our nation and our world. We fight temptations of dismay and hopelessness. Grant us courage and strength as we stand firm in our faith for you.

            In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Stand Firm in Your Faith appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com