Tuesday, March 24 2009
ISAIAH 8
Key Verse: Isaiah 8:3 “And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.”
God gave Isaiah a son to be named as Mahershalalhashbaz which means “hasten booty, speedy prey” or “God is against those who are against His people.” Indeed, Isaiah was greatly encouraged to see that Ahaz, King of Judah, did not have to fight against Syria and Israel as both were defeated by Assyria. It was not through the brilliant strategies of Ahaz but it was God who sent the Assyrians to defeat his enemies.
1. God shall fight for you
Isaiah 8:4 “For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.”
Both the riches and treasures of Damascus and Samaria, the capital cities of Syria and Israel respectively, were taken away by the Assyrians. It was a sad day for them as they realized that God was with Judah and He had allowed the Assyrians to defeat them.
Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
What a promise that God is for you! Imagine in any difficult situation or problem, you have God as your teammate!
2. You cannot fight against God
Isaiah 8:10 “Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.”
Do you realize that you are fighting against God when you try to take things into your own hands instead of praying and trusting God for His solutions?
Acts 5:39 “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
3. Seek God
Isaiah 8:19 “And when they shall say into you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead.”
Have you come across people including Christians reading the horoscope or seeking fortune tellers concerning their future? There is no one except the true and living God who knows your future and everything about you!
Food for Thought
If you can trust God for eternity, can you not trust Him for the next meal.