Monday Devotion, December 14

Monday Devotion, December 14
Isaiah 7:1-9
1 When Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, set out to attack Jerusalem. However, they were unable to carry out their plan. 2 The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.
3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Take your son Shear-jashub and go out to meet King Ahaz. You will find him at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed. 4 Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. 5 Yes, the kings of Syria and Israel are plotting against him, saying, 6 ‘We will attack Judah and capture it for ourselves. Then we will install the son of Tabeel as Judah’s king.’ 7 But this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“This invasion will never happen; it will never take place; 8 for Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus, and Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be crushed and completely destroyed. 9 Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”
Quick Notes
"Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm." So many ways we can understand this. Today we will look at it through the lens that if you are not going to give God an honest shot, it is unreasonable to expect Him to work on your behalf. I rarely see people who are seeking God say things like, "God has never helped me out." Firm faith does not mean we know with certainty the details of how everything is going to work out. Firm faith is sloppy and messy, but more importantly it gives God an honest shot to work in the world and your life.
Quick Questions
Does your faith give God an honest shot? Why or why not?
Quick Prayer
Lord Jesus, my faith in you seems to waver more than politicians' words. Help me stand firm in believing you without the empirical evidence for support. My faith in you cannot be seen except through my actions. Amen.