Standing Firm in Faith Part 1

Pastor Mike will be speaking on Standing Firm in Faith Part 1. He will be reading out of Isaiah 7:1-9.

There’s many times that your own flesh, your own mind is going to try to convince you to believe things that are just not true. That’s why the Psalmist said in Psalm 42, why are you disquieted within yourself? Hope in God. Hello, this is Pastor Mike Sanders and this is Hope Worth Having.

We are looking forward to sharing the hope that is found in Christ with you today. We want to encourage you to join us as we study the Bible together today. And we are in Isaiah chapter 7. So I want you to grab your Bible and let’s learn about standing firm in our faith.

I want you to take your Bible this morning and turn to Isaiah chapter 7. Isaiah chapter 7, as you know, we’ve been tracking through the book of Isaiah. We’ve made it to chapter 7. We’re going to spend a couple Sundays here in Isaiah. And I’ve entitled this message, Standing Firm in Faith.

This is part one. We’ll pick up next week on part two. The question, one of the big questions in life is, who are you trusting in? Or you might say, what are you trusting in? What is the source of your confidence for the future? People can trust in all kinds of things.

Some are depending upon their intelligence, their education, and maybe the things that they have learned through life. Others are depending upon their skill sets, what they have developed and prepared. Some are depending upon money, finances, a retirement portfolio.

That’s what they’re depending upon. Some are depending upon a political figure or person or party. Others are depending upon military power.

Others are depending upon their talents. But the question we must ask ourselves today is, who or what are you trusting in? What you trust in is most clearly revealed during a crisis in your life. Now, when we come to chapter 7 of the book of Isaiah, we understand that the key verse of this chapter is that classic passage in verse 14.

Which says, We won’t cover the details of that verse today, but we will next week. But the main idea of this chapter is this. That God uses life crises to expose our faith.

And if we do not stand firm in our faith in Christ, the truth is we will not stand at all. So the admonition is to stand firm in faith. And I want you to notice at the beginning of chapter 7, the first two verses here, and the scenario that we understand is taking place.

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin, the king of Syria, and Pekah, the son of Remilia, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to make war against it, but could not prevail against it. And it was told to the house of David, saying, Serious forces are deployed in Ephraim. So his heart, meaning Ahaz’s heart, because he’s the king and he is of the house of David.

So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind. Just a little bit of background just to help you because you see these different words and you wonder what in the world are they talking about. As we have already shared with you that Isaiah ministered in a time where the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, a northern kingdom and a southern kingdom.

Ahaz is the king of Judah. He is the king which Jerusalem resides in as the capital. And then we’re introduced in verse 1 to not only the king of Israel, the northern kingdom, but also the king of Syria.

And these two kingdoms had coalesced together and created an alliance. And they were going to take over Judah. They were going to come and at war they were going to get rid of Ahaz and they were going to put in their own king there.

And the reason is that they were fighting a bigger war. A war against the Assyrians. And so the dominant power of that day was Assyria.

And so Assyria was out ravaging different nations and kingdoms and taking over and taking political control of different countries. And so it was of the mindset of the northern kingdom and Syria that we want to build our coalition. But Ahaz said I don’t want to be a part of your coalition.

And so they were upset with him and so they said we’re going to defeat Ahaz. We’re going to boot him out and we’re going to put in our own king who will join forces with us as we fight against Assyria. And so when Ahaz heard this story, when he heard this plan of man then I want you to know in verse 2 it says that the house of David whenever you see that in the Bible it’s referring to the current maybe administration or kingdom.

Ahaz was from the lineage of David. He was the king. And so again the prophet says that it was told to the house of David.

It was told to the administration that serious forces are deployed in Ephraim. You see that word Ephraim and you say where did these people come from? Remember that Israel has 12 tribes, right? And one of the dominant tribes was Ephraim. And so sometimes in using in reference to Judah or Israel they would use the tribe’s name, the dominant tribe’s name.

So for instance we might say America or we might say the United States different terminologies which mean the same nation. Well when you referred to this tribe Ephraim in the 12 tribes you were referring to Israel. So serious forces are deployed in Ephraim or Israel which we already learned has been divided the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom.

Are you confused yet? Amen. I understand. But it’s a lot of stuff going on but I just wanted you to kind of at least try to grasp some of it.

And so what is the response of Ahaz? Look at verse 2. His heart and the heart of his people were moved. Some translations use the word shook or shaken. He was really traumatized is the idea.

Shaken as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind. So the idea is a strong wind moves across the forest or across the trees and it is blowing and it is bending and it has been shaken and it has been moved and this is the reflection of Ahaz’s heart. This is the reflection of the people’s heart.

We come down to verse 3. Then the Lord said to Isaiah. Remember that Isaiah is the prophet. He’s called to minister.

Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and Shira-Jeshub, your son. Now this crazy name of his son. I mean I don’t know of anybody that’s naming their kid like this.

But it simply means the remnant will return. Because you have to ask the question. Why would God want Isaiah to grab his son and go meet Ahaz? Well look at where they’re meeting at in verse 3. Again at the end of the aqueduct from the upper pool on the highway to the Fuller’s Field.

And you don’t know all this stuff but here’s the bottom line. They were going to check the water supply, reinforce. Ahaz is there meeting with his team because he knows how they’re going to attack.

They’re going to try to get rid of their food supply. They’re going to try to get rid of their water supply. And so that’s where Ahaz is heading.

And God tells Isaiah, Isaiah get over there because Ahaz is trusting in his own resources. And when you get over there, take your son with you. And your son who means the remnant of God will return.

He will stand as a symbol to Ahaz who knows what his son’s name is and knows what it means. He will stand as a symbol that God will keep his promises. And that God will not allow this to take place.

Again we look at verse 4. And say to him. I’m in verse 4. Take heed and be quiet. Or you might say this.

Be alert and be calm. Do not fear or be faint hearted. For these two stubs.

Referring to Syria and the northern kingdom Israel. Of smoking firebrands for the fierce anger of Rezan and Syria and the son of Ramaliah. Because Syria Ephraim and the son of Ramaliah have plotted evil against you.

Saying let us go up against Judah and trouble it. And let us make a gap in its wall for ourselves. And set a king over them the son of Tabel.

Thus says the Lord God. And you might underscore this. It shall not stand.

Nor shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus. And the head of Damascus is Rezan.

Within 65 years Ephraim will be broken. So that it will not be a people. The head of Ephraim is Samaria.

And the head of Samaria is Ramaliah’s son. If you will not believe. You will not have faith.

Surely you shall not be established or not be able to stand. So the prophet is sent to Ahaz. And he is sent for the purpose of reminding Ahaz and the people to stand firm.

And to put their trust in God. And not to trust their own resources. But to stand firm in their faith.

So there’s two things I want you to see here this morning. First of all that a crisis always reveals true faith. A crisis always reveals true faith.

We shared with you that Assyria was the dominant superpower of the world of that day. And they were casting a shadow. Not just upon Israel.

But Judah and Syria and other nations in the Middle East. And so this was a scary time for Ahaz. He had already encountered many problems politically.

And militarily. And then the prophet comes to him. And lets him know hey here’s the game plan.

But I want you to know that God is not bending. And he’s not budging. And God is going to fulfill his promise.

The prophet reveals this scary alliance. That has taken place that we just read about. And how they were going to come together.

Usually two enemies against each other. But now they’re coming together in an alliance. A confederacy to get rid of Ahaz.

Because they need the nation’s resources. And they need the supplies. So they can fight against Assyria.

But these powers. These humanistic powers. Political powers.

That devised this evil plan to conquer Jerusalem. And to replace the legitimate Davidic king. With their puppet would not come to fruition.

Because God and his promises. And his word were at stake. So the Bible says that Ahaz.

He’s a proud king. And he was unable to keep his people. Calm and focused.

They looked at Ahaz. They saw him shaking. They looked at Ahaz.

They saw him in fear. They saw his faithlessness. They saw the fact that he was relying on other things.

Rather than the Lord. And so the people in turn. Were responding the same way.

And I want to say to you. Whether you’re a leader of the home. You’re a leader in the church.

Or you’re a leader in the community. Or you’re a leader in any capacity. That you got to remember.

That people are watching you. And that you can’t be easily shaken. You can’t be overwhelmed.

That you can’t walk and operate in fear. And you can’t be the person. That is so easily moved.

By the problems of this world. That you and I are called. To be firm in our faith.

We’re to be strong. In our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what I told you.

That a crisis always reveals true faith. When God allows a crisis in your life. The question is.

How will you respond? And who will you be trusting? Who will you be standing on? Who will you look to for the answers? Unfortunately Ahaz. He never seemed to think of turning to the Lord. For protection.

He never seemed to think that. It was important for him to call his people. To repentance and humility.

And surrender to the Lord God Almighty. That he never thought about. Maybe I should just call.

For a national time of prayer. And reliance upon God. But Ahaz.

He relied on his strategy. And he relied on his schemes. And he relied on his military might.

And his proudness. And his ability to be clever. And friends.

None of that. Will make you. A firm and faithful Christian.

For the Lord. I want you to take your Bible. And I want you to go to James chapter 1. If you will.

Go to James chapter 1. Don’t lose Isaiah. We’re coming back. But I want you to see a parallel here.

In understanding how we are called to react. When there’s a crisis in our life. And so often too many Christians.

When they have a crisis. They’re melting down. They’re breaking down.

They’re falling apart. And they’re acting like it’s the end of the world. When what they really need to do.

Is they need to trust. In the Lord Jesus Christ. Now again we come to James chapter 1. Verse 2. For many of you.

You’re very familiar with this passage. But I want you to see something here. He says my brethren.

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. First I want you to know. There’s all kinds of trials out there.

They come in different shapes. And sizes and forms. But the question is not if.

But when. When will I face a trial? I want you to know. That James reminds us.

That when you fall into a various trial. You see Job said this. That man’s days are full of trouble.

If you’re under the notion. That your life is going to be easy street. That you’re never going to have a problem.

That you’re going to just walk through life. With no issues in your life. Then my friends.

That’s your problem. Because your problem is not your problem. It’s how you respond to your problems.

That’s the key to your faith. Is how do I respond. To my problems in life.

I’m still in verse 2. My brethren count it all joy. Now I don’t see a lot of people. Slapping high five and saying.

I can’t wait to have a problem. I don’t see us having celebrations. And saying hey man.

We got a trial coming. Let’s get all excited. That’s not what he’s talking about.

He says count it all joy. Count it all joy. When you fall into various trials.

Look at verse 3. Knowing. Now stop. God never asks you to check out your brain.

When you come to church. And the key to your faith. Is not your feelings.

But it’s what you know. And when you’re walking through the Christian life. There’s many times that your own flesh.

Your own mind. Is going to try to convince you. To believe things that are just not true.

Everything you think. Everything you feel. Is not true.

Are you with me? That’s why the psalmist. Was always talking to himself. That’s why the psalmist said in psalm 42.

Why are you cast down. Oh my soul. Why are you disquieted within yourself.

Hope in God. You know what the psalmist. Was saying to himself.

Pull it together. Put your hope in God. Not in your emotions.

Not in your circumstances. Not in your trial. But put your hope in the Lord.

And what I’m saying to you this morning. Is that some of you have been walking through the fire. Some of you are walking in the fire.

Or you’re going to walk in the fire. And don’t believe everything that you feel. And everything that’s running through your brain.

But I want you to rely upon the Lord. Knowing look at verse 3. That the testing of your faith. Produces what? Some translations put it like this.

Your endurance. God uses trials to shape your heart. God uses trials.

To shape your character. So you’re not a quitter. And you don’t give up.

But that you keep on. Keeping on for Jesus Christ. You see the joy that I have.

Is not that I’m going through the trial. The joy is what I know. Is the outcome of the trial.

How God is going to use. The trial in my life. To produce spiritual.

And godly fruit in my heart. How he’s going to build. My character.

And so I don’t like the trial. I don’t like the fire. I don’t like the test.

I don’t like the difficulties. But I know. That God is using it.

To build endurance. And patience. Into my life.

I want you to look at verse 3. That testing. We don’t like tests. The biggest fear I had when I went to school.

Was the teacher walking in and saying. Clear your desk we got a test today. You ever thought about why a teacher.

Or a professor might ask you to take a test. It would be for two reasons. First of all.

He wants to or she wants to know. Where you’re at. And what they’ve taught you.

But they also want you to know. Where you’re at. And what they’ve taught you.

And I really feel like that’s what God is doing in our life. He’s putting us through tests. In our lives.

So that A. He can see where our faith is at. Do we quit? Do we give up? Do we throw in the towel? Where’s our faith at? But he also wants you to know. Because some of you are riding the high waves of prosperity.

And enjoying all the wonderful circumstances. And then all of a sudden the wave crashes. And you find yourself in a mess.

And then you realize. I’m not as strong as I thought I was. I’m not as dedicated.

To the cause of Jesus Christ. As I thought I was. And so there’s the testing of your faith.

And look at verse 4. As we continue on this outcome. But let patience have its perfect. Or complete work.

That you may be perfect. Or meaning mature. And complete.

Lacking nothing. So God’s doing a great work in you. We don’t have time to digest all that.

But here’s what I want to get to you. If any of you lacks wisdom. You see stay in context.

If you’re lacking wisdom in the midst of the test. Or the trial. Let him ask of God.

Who gives to all liberally. And without reproach. And it will be given to him.

A lot of you are saying. Why Lord? Why is this happening to me? What are you trying to teach me Lord? What’s going on here God? I was enjoying life. And then I got smacked upside the head.

With all these problems. And all these testings. And all these trials.

You got a lot of questions. Here’s the thing. God will give you wisdom.

And he’ll give it liberally. Generously. He doesn’t play favorites.

He will give you answers. Now listen to me. May not always be the answer you want.

I once took a class called. The Theology of Suffering. Wow.

Just the name of that. Attracted me to the class. But part of the Theology of Suffering.

Is understanding. That God does not always reveal. The why’s.

And the secret things. Belong to the Lord. And the question is.

Do I have the faith to trust God. With what he has revealed. And what he has not revealed.

Am I willing to walk by faith. And trust the Lord. Even though I may not have all the answers.

But look verse 6. I come to him. I ask in faith. With no doubting.

For he who doubts is like a wave. Of the sea driven tossed. By the wind.

There’s Ahaz. Being tossed by the wind. He’s in a crisis.

It’s a political crisis. It’s a military crisis. Does Ahaz.

Fall on his knees and seek God. For wisdom. Does Ahaz.

Bring his doubts and his questions. And his misunderstandings to the cross. Does he come to God for.

The answers and the guidance. For what he needs for his next steps. No.

Ahaz. Melts down. And like the wind.

Blowing the trees. He is shaken to the core. And the people look at Ahaz.

They said he’s our leader. And if he’s over there melting down. How much more should we be melting down.

And now. They’re freaking out. And they’re.

In the midst of panic. And that’s what a crisis does. It reveals.

You see there are times. That God brings trials. And testings.

That jar us. From our comfort zones. It’s easy for you and I. To just kind of get in that comfort zone.

And all of a sudden we’re getting apathetic. All of a sudden. We’re just kind of enjoying the rut.

That we’re in. And we’re just kind of there. Existing.

Going through the motions. And then bam. God brings something about in our life.

That shakes us to the core. And the question is. Who are you trusting in? Who are you trusting in? Warren Rearsby.

Many of you have read his books. His commentaries. A great man of God.

I’ve had the privilege of hearing him teach the word of God. I got all his books. I read everything that he has written.

And he said this. And I love this statement. When God’s people go through personal trials.

They discover what kind of faith. They really possess. So it’s something for us to think about.

We found out that Ahaz wasn’t that strong. And he was relying on the wrong things. You’re going through a trial.

Who are you trusting? Tomorrow a trial might come your way. Who are you trusting in? Second point that I want to share with you this morning. Is that a crisis requires us to trust God’s promises.

That’s why God sent the prophet Isaiah. He said in verse 3. Go now. Go out now.

Meet Ahaz. Go out there. And he didn’t have the opportunity to delay.

He just had to be ready. Some of you work in the emergency areas of life. Maybe EMT.

Fire. Police. Whatever.

Hospital. You understand. You might be in the middle of something.

But as soon as you get the signal. There’s an emergency. Bam.

You got to go. That’s the way Isaiah was. He was ready.

Whatever the Lord told him to go. Go now. That’s exactly what he did.

And he said to him. Take heed. Or be calm.

And do not fear. Or be faint hearted. For these two stubs of smoking firebrands.

For the fierce anger. Of Razan in Syria. And the son of Ramaliah.

What he’s saying is this. Don’t be afraid of them. Don’t be afraid of them.

Only believe. And I really feel like. When we find ourselves.

Overwhelmed with fear. And anxiety in our life. About our circumstances.

And our problems. That the key. Is to get back to the promises of God.

And that’s what Isaiah is doing. To Ahaz. When we talk about.

Standing firm in our faith. We understand that God uses. Crisis in our life.

To expose our faith. You may be walking in the fire. Through the fire.

But God is exposing where you’re at. In your spiritual walk with him. And so when we come to Isaiah.

Chapter 7. We realize that a crisis reveals our faith. And what has that crisis revealed about you. That’s what you need to be thinking about.

Sometimes a crisis reveals no faith. And that means you need to get on your knees. And you need to repent.

And believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. As your savior. Sometimes it reveals a weak faith.

And that means you need to get into the word. Get stronger and better for the Lord Jesus Christ. And sometimes it reveals a great faith.

And you need to be a comforter to others. Who are walking through the fire. Because you understand.

And you can minister to them. Based upon similar circumstances. Now we want to encourage you to check us out.

On our social media. We’re on X Facebook Instagram. Check us out.

Learn more about our ministry. And subscribe or like us. And what you’ll find is.

We’re constantly putting out information there. To be an encouragement. And to help you to be strong for the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is Pastor Mike Sanders. Reminding you. That in Christ there is hope worth having.