August 9 | Isaiah 7:9-12

“And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Ramaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. And again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask for a sign for yourself from the Lord your God. Let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask and so test the Lord.”” (Isaiah 7:9–12)

It’s hard to work with wishy-washy people. They tell you one thing and want to do the other the next day. Worse than that, some of them try to act all spiritual as they waffle between decisions. King Ahaz was like that in Isaiah’s time.

Two northern kingdoms were gathering like a storm against Northern Israel. The whole land, including King Ahaz, was afraid of being crushed in war. They were shaking like a leaf. God sent Isaiah to confront King Ahaz.

God’s word was clear to King Ahaz and Northern Israel. God would deal with these two nations. They need not fear. But Ahaz had no faith.

He tried to act spiritual when he said he would not test the Lord. In most cases that’s a good thing. But the Lord challenged him to test Him. When you don’t do what God tells you to do, it is disobedience and unbelief. You can’t cover up your unbelief with spiritual platitudes.

Action Step: Show your trust in the Lord by meeting His challenge to test Him and see that He will come through for you. Stand in faith and see God show Himself faithful

Jesus, You have shown me the way and I must walk in it. Keep me from hiding behind spiritual platitudes. I want to believe Your word every time. No matter how impossible and outlandish, I will follow you.