Isaiah 7  Isaiah was sent to meet with King Ahaz. Aram and Israel had joined together to come against Judah and the king was scared.  Isaiah had a wonderful message.. " Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands.. "  The Lord would not allow Aram and Israel to take Judah.  In fact, within a few years those kings would both be gone and within 65 years Israel would be "shattered". 

The Lord offered Ahaz a sign.. any sign of his own choosing.. as proof that God would do what He said.  But, Ahaz refused a sign.. and refused to believe.  Isaiah said to him.. " If you will not believe, you surely will not last."  

The Lord gave Ahaz a sign anyway.. "Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken." 

Instead of trusting the Lord, Ahaz turned to Assyria for help.  He chose to build an altar that copied the Assyrians.  He placed it before the altar that the Lord required.  He stripped the temple of gold and silver to give to Assyria for their help.  He chose evil over good..

We all have been given the privilege and the responsibility to choose - good or evil.  We choose to believe God or we don't.  We choose to live in fear.. or we choose to live in faith.  We also have been given a warning.. for if we will not believe.. we "surely will not last. " 

Many years after Isaiah, Matthew would use his words to speak of another child.. "born of a virgin"  One who would always refuse evil and always live in holiness and goodness.  Jesus Christ came to redeem us from the sin and guilt that we have chosen. He came that we might have His Spirit to choose righteousness and justice. He came that we might know God, remember His works, and praise Him forever more. 

Father in heaven, it is in the name of Jesus Christ, that we come to You and pray for forgiveness.. to ask for help to choose what is good and right and pleasing to You. Help us to forsake sin and selfishness.  Help us to fully trust You in every situation. Help us to fear You.. and not the world..  or even a virus..  You are our dwelling place. You alone are God.  Fill us with Your love and joy and peace, we pray. Amen.