In Isaiah 7, Ahaz, King of Judah, heard news that Syria was allied with Israel against him. He trembled in fear “by the possible” end of his reign, by the possible attack upon his kingdom. He was “shaking as trees in a storm”. By the possible. This had not happened. It wasn’t in the process of happening. It was a possibility…The Lord told Isaiah: ” Tell him (King Ahaz) to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear.” (Isaiah 7:4 NLT) Other versions say: be calm, be quiet, do not fear, do not be faint of heart or afraid.
How many times have I worried or been troubled about all the “possibilities” of things to come? I can imagine a lot of doom and gloom as my (Enneagram 6) personality type does so well. Maybe I missed my calling as a screen writer. I mean really! Worry has been a thorn in my side as it must have been for King Ahaz. And, 99% of all that I imagine NEVER happens. EVER!
I love that the Lord reminds the King to not worry or fear. He goes onto remind King Ahaz that unless he stands firm in his faith, he cannot stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9) A great reminder for us, too. How many times does our faith shrink in fear of the possible? We must not let fear cripple us. We must stand firm in our faith. Trusting in God’s guidance and instruction for our lives. (Isaiah 8).
We do not have to fear like these folks in Psalm 53:5:
“But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread.”
Yep! Hello! That sounds terribly familiar! Overwhelmed for nothing! Dreading all the possibilities.
Instead, Isaiah 41:10 (NASB) encourages us to keep on trusting:
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Later in Isaiah 7, God tells Ahaz that even though his kingdom is in danger, God will give him a sign…Immanuel…God is with us. When we begin to fear, we do not have to shake as trees in a storm. We can know that God is with us…always with us.
“Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here…” Isaiah 35:4 (MSG)