Jesus - The Sign Series

How are our lives and words today?

Isaiah 7:3

Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

In brief, in the land of Judah was a laundryman who used to wash clothes and he owned a field and near the field was this pool and there was a conduit, a channel of water which ran to it and apparently the king was out there with his engineers.

And this is a prominent place in the city. They must have been trying in some way to secure that conduit which would bring water into this pool so that with this invasion they would have water available within the city. So, all are worried about supply, and international relations, and all are concerned about what is happening.

So, Isaiah comes with his son and meets Ahaz gives the king a message from the Lord. Remember this is a king who has turned his back on God, but God has not turned his back on him. God is giving him a message.

2. GOD IS MERCIFUL

I am so grateful for the mercy and long suffering of God. Are you not? Otherwise, where would we be today if it were not for the mercy of God that came into our lives?

Indeed, God is gracious, merciful, and long-suffering and you might have sinned, you might have gone away from God, you are facing defeat and the enemy is all around you.

However, remember child of God that our gracious God is reaching out to you, and He is concerned about your situation.

He loves you and He has a message for you.

See the message of the Lord:

Isaiah 7:4

Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.

Smoldering means smoking wood but no fire. A stub is the remains of a cigarette or wood after burning. In common English, the Lord is saying, “Do not be afraid of these enemies. They look full of fire, but they tail of stubs. There is no fire in them.

3. DO NOT BE AFRAID BECAUSE OF JESUS – THE SIGN

God is telling, “Ahaz. Your enemy looks so fierce, they are full of words and hostile actions, and you are afraid of them. You think they are firebrands, but they are nothing more than the tails of smoke. Moreover, their fire is out, and they are smoking stubs of firewood. So, do not be afraid.”

Similarly, maybe today some of you are sitting here facing the attack of the enemy and you feel everything is over. Secondly, you are fearful and afraid, there is no joy. Nevertheless, God is saying nothing is going to come of this, do not be afraid and I am going to take charge of this situation and take care of you.

So, the Lord says: Be quiet, be calm, do not be afraid.

But see what the enemy is saying:

Isaiah 7:6

Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves and make the son of Tabeel king over it.

Hence, the enemy comes to tear, devour, destroy, and defeat but God is telling not to be afraid. Whose report do you believe today?

See what the Lord is saying: