“Take a Stand in the Lord”

Scripture: Isaiah 7:7-16

Our Revolutionary War was as lopsided a conflict as anyone could possibly imagine. It was a contest between a bunch of citizen soldiers and the mightiest army in all of Europe. It was colonists versus homeland.
- It was rag-tag versus professional. It was a battle between the inevitable and the impossible. But in the end, the ones who should have won didn’t.
During the 6 ½ years of war, the colonists hardly had one decisive victory until General George Washington met Lord Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. Most of the victories that the Americans did achieve leading up to that final engagement were little more than a draw. So why, in the face of such overwhelming odds, did we manage to gain freedom from England? We should have been defeated, and quickly at that!

In our reading for today, we find the Southern Kingdom of Judah in a similar situation. Assyria and Israel have invaded the nation, and are threatening to destroy the people. The mighty vs. the insignificant,
- the world power vs. the meek. Assyria should have rolled over little Judah in a couple of weeks, but they didn’t, they couldn’t. Assyria would later defeat their ally Israel who was much larger and stronger than Judah, but their efforts at the gates of Jerusalem would fail miserable.
Why, in the face of such overwhelming odds, did Judah manage to stand firm against their enemy? They should have fallen, just as every other nation had before the onslaught of power.

In the case of the American colonies, there were three reasons for victory. First, they were fighting for their freedom. England was no longer seen as “home”, but rather as an oppressor nation. The Americans were fighting for their homes, while the British were fighting to retain a colony. The second is that the British were distracted by other problems around the globe. And third, it was simply a matter of perseverance on the part of the colonists. The rebels just wouldn’t give up.
Those are big differences.

In the case of Judah, it was Assyria’s will to conquer the much smaller people, but it was God’s will that they should fail. This is an even bigger difference!

Read Isaiah 7:7-9

The Northern Kingdom, Israel, had abandoned their faith, and had turned to the false gods of their neighbors. They did not stand firm in their faith, and as such, they couldn’t stand at all. The reference to Samaria being the head of Ephraim is a condemnation on the nation. They had turned against their God, and now they were being lead by their own deceptions and failures instead of by Almighty God.
However, Judah was taking a different approach - at least for now. They had continued to be strong in their mighty Yahweh, and Yahweh was still strong in them. And now their God was promising that if they would just stand firm in faith, that the alliance of Israel and Assyria would not only fail to beat them, but that they would be soundly destroyed.

Now most folks, having heard a promise like this one, one that was as unlikely as our experiencing 85 degree temperatures this afternoon (even though there are more than a few of you who would like to have that today!), would like a little more reassurance before they begin their victory celebration!

Read Isaiah 7:10-17

And even though Ahaz is reluctant to ask for a specific sign, the Lord gives him one anyway. The proof of the salvation of Judah will be evidenced by the birth of a child. And God tells them that His promise will be fulfilled before the child is old enough to be able to choose between good and evil. But we need to realize that it is the birth and intellectual growth of the child that is the sign from God, not necessarily the pregnancy itself, and whether it actually was a virgin mother, or, as the Hebrew word indicates, is only a “young woman”, the promise is given and is sure. And they are told that his name will be Immanuel, an absolute sign that “God is with them”.

Now, while this may not actually be a prophecy regarding Jesus – note in verse 16 that the attacking nations will be history by the time the child knows right from wrong – it is still a rather unique way for God to reveal His presence and plan to the people.

But why this way? Why the birth of a child to announce that God is with us, that His promise is true? Why not something that is more obvious, like 3 days of continuous day light, or a peace of mind that affects the entire nation, or an end to the hostilities right then and there? Why not something that everyone could experience and no one could dispute?

Perhaps because even though the child comes to the people, the people still must go to find him. The sign is solid, but we have to make an effort to experience it. The Lord has a strange way of not only blessing us, but of including us, of involving us, of making us part of His plan.
With God, we can never be simple spectators! We can’t sit on the sidelines. We have to be part of the team, we have to be involved.
And why a birth? Because birth doesn’t come peacefully and gently – there is a lot of pain and struggle and conflict, on the part of both the baby and the mother. But in the end, new life has come to us, and the joy is an amazing thing!

Freedom for the American colonies didn’t come by simply declaring it to be so. It took dedication and commitment, it took sacrifice, it required a lot of pain but the result was a release from oppression, the result was freedom!
For Judah, God didn’t simply end the conflict with Assyria – there would be more privation, more war, more death
before the day of victory would arrive, but arrive it would, and in a spectacular way (Isaiah 37:35-37). And the glory of God would shine far brighter than the sun ever could, even on the clearest day.

And in Jesus Christ, salvation never comes easily or cheaply. It involved God’s trading in His divine crown and heavenly throne for a dusty road and the animosity of the very people He came to save. It meant that a young woman, unmarried and pure, would have to suffer the humiliation of her family and neighbors, and even the doubts of the man who loved her. It meant that families would be torn apart when some would take up the path of Christ, while others would not. And it meant that God Himself would have to suffer scorn and ridicule and humiliation in a mock trial, with false witnesses being brought against Him, and then to suffer the death of a common criminal. And all of this so that those who will draw near to Him might live with Him in Eternal Paradise.

Salvation and freedom both come at a terrible cost – they require that we stand firm for what we believe, even while others will do all they can to convince us to let go. But the consequences that the alternative brings are far worse than the price that must be paid to gain it, and so, many will take a stand.
Men and women have given their all that our nation might be free, and God has given His all to ensure that our freedom in Him is sure. But whether it is national freedom or Godly salvation, we must still guard it jealously and never take it for granted. The Assyrians of this world are still actively and intently trying to take it all away from us.

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” We all must heed these words and take them to heart.
Take a firm stand in Christ, and never, ever waiver.