12 July 2022

Then the Lord said to Isaiah, Go out to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-jashub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Fuller’s Field, and say to him, Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smouldering stumps of firebrands, because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah.

From Isaiah 7:1-9, NRSV

Through the prophet Isaiah, King Ahaz of Judah was assured by God that he would be helped in the face of a threatened invasion of Jerusalem. Ahaz greatly feared the threat from neighbouring kings and expected to be deposed. God saw the threat differently, describing the enemies of Ahaz as “smouldering stumps of firebrands” – in other words, they were all smoke and no fire. Ahaz was called to trust in God and warned that if he did not do so he would not “stand at all”.

• • Why do you suppose God was prepared to protect Ahaz and his kingdom?
  • When have difficult circumstances caused you to doubt in God’s protection? 

You may like to reflect on times when you have felt God’s protective presence in your life.