Stand firm in your faith
by Margaret Silvester
Judah was faced with enemy invasion. King Ahaz was faced with three options in his search for safety and protection. Firstly, he could unite with Syria and Israel and fight against Assyria. Secondly, he could submit to Assyria and trust that nation in the hope of finding security for himself and his people. Thirdly, he could put his faith wholly in the Lord, trusting Him for deliverance from the enemy.
Isaiah warned the king that if he wanted God’s protection there was only one viable option - to stand firm in his faith, with his heart set on God, trusting God for the impossible. Unless he was willing to stand firm with his faith in God, Ahaz was warned that he would not stand at all – he would be defeated.
Today’s Scripture is a warning to us. If we choose to look to people or things for our security, instead of trusting in God, our faith will not hold in difficult times. The way of faith stands in stark contrast to the way of human power. To the onlooker, the way of faith can even seem like foolishness, but we’re called to a life of faith in good times and bad. The call to faith is the call of God. To abandon faith is to lose all that’s most dear – fellowship with God Himself.
To live by faith, trusting the Lord who will never fail, is the central reality of God’s people. It makes God’s people distinct and sets them apart from the world. If we don’t stand firm in our faith, we don’t stand at all. If we fail to respond to God by trusting His promises, it will bring about hardening of our heart.
In the NLB version of to-day’s text it says, ‘You do not believe me? If you want me to protect you, learn to believe what I say’. True faith is encouraged and strengthened by difficulties. Faith faces things that to the natural mind are impossibilities; such as resting on the promises of God. Faith relies on God to fulfil His word and to make the obstacles turn around for His glory. In the final analysis, trusting God is not about possessing great faith. It’s about small faith in a great God and standing firm in Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me today to trust You in all circumstances. Please strengthen my faith so that it will stand in the trials of life. I choose to find my safety and security in You alone. Amen.
Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God. Margaret`s book "Stepping Stones to the Father Heart of God" has recently been published.
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