"IMMANUEL"

The most difficult thing to do is trust in hard times! Sometimes we begin to question why God allows the walls to close in and in some cases it seems they have fallen in? Here we are, children of God, begotten of God and things are collapsing. Our homes are in disarray. A mate is out of line and we are left wondering what to do in this case. Where is God if we are His child? Our children are rebellious and seem bent on destroying their lives and God doesn't seem to be too concerned. What use is it being a child of God and He doesn't help? These are things that can run through our minds!

Eighth centuries before Christ, the king of Judah and his advisers were under siege and in a panic because Israel (the northern 10 tribes) and Syria had agreed to overthrow his throne and punish the people (Isa. 7). Israel and Syria were in a state of panic themselves because the most powerful army in the world, the Assyrians, were headed their way and Judah refused to join and help the fight. King Ahaz, the king of Judah, was very afraid. King Ahaz feared the plans of Israel and Syria but even more afraid of Assyria! Ahaz began thinking that if he would join forces it would be with the Assyrian's as they were most powerful and would preserve his kingdom.

King Ahaz finds out the Assyrian's overruns Israel and Syria and in order to keep him from thinking is was Assyria that did it, God sends Isaiah telling King Ahaz it wasn't Assyria. It was the Almighty Jehovah, their God! God makes it clear in Isa. 8 that He was in control of the whole situation and that Assyria would enter Judah like a flood that will reach to the neck but that's all. God wasn't allowing destruction. Discomfort? Yes to teach him to trust. Then the warning came not to walk in the thinking or ways of the people. The king was warned to not fear what they fear. Why? Because they were the children of God and He had it all under control. The king didn't trust his God! He trusted his own feelings and reasonings!

We don't have fears of armies like this. We have no threats as they faced. We do have troubles, some very difficult. Our families, unemployment, age, our children's future and even the church can be distressing. Where do we get our assurance for the present and future? Turn to a network of friends? Our financial security? Promises made by doctors? Even our brethren? However fine these things may seem they are very limited! We never seem to listen or respond to the name: IMMANUEL!! "GOD WITH US"! Is God really with us? We speak the words when all is well but when things aren't, we panic, just like King Ahaz!

Our faith in IMMANUEL or lack thereof is seen in our difficulties and how we respond. Just listen to our talk or watch our behavior. Look where we turn and the road we walk. We seem to draw off anyone or anything that can bring us some glimpse of hope. Who is this IMMANUEL? Your Savior and we need to trust Him and only Him!