Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Israel’s Message, December 18, 2022 Isaiah 7:1-14
Immanuel – God With Us

Introduction: In order to understand the context and meaning of the prophecy of Jesus in Isaiah 7:14, let’s take a deeper look together.

Reassurance of God’s Plan (7:1-9)

In the days of Ahaz [king of Judah]...the king of Syria and...the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it... And the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz... and say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear... It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass... If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’”

The problem: Ahaz and his people are facing a threat from the joint forces of northern Israel and Syria.
The prophecy: At the very moment Ahaz is shaking with fear, God enters through His prophet Isaiah to say:

• Do not fear: it will not happen. These kings cannot interrupt the mighty plan of the divine King.

• If you do not stand firm in your faith, you won’t stand at all. If you don’t think I can establish My plans

  you won’t live long enough to see Me carry them out.

  Will Ahaz be faithful or not? Too often we skip out too early to see what God would do in a given situation; we give up on a marriage or a church or a prodigal child before we see what God can do.

  Father, please help us to be faithful to believe in the reassurance of Your power and Your promises. Help us to hang on during the tough challenges and see what You can do!

  Rejection of God’s Plan (7:11-12)

  Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.”

  God invites Ahaz to ask for a sign to show that He is powerful enough to handle Ahaz’s circumstances. Ahaz says, no, he will not test God. His answer sounds pious and spiritual, but it is not pious at all. He isn’t really interested in trusting God; he wants to pursue his own plan of seeking the powerful, evil force of Assyria to deliver him.

  Lord, please help us listen to Your Word; help us to trust You and seek Your good purposes for us.

  Reaffirmation of God’s Plan (7:13-14)

  And [Isaiah] said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

  So Isaiah speaks up, making it plain that Ahaz is trying the patience of God.

  But because God is gracious and loving, He still provides a sign, a sign that not only had meaning for His plan for Ahaz but also for His future plan for all humanity for all time. No matter what happens to Judah, even when they go into exile, God’s promise and presence will still be with them; they will never be alone. He is Immanuel, God with them.

  God’s promises and presence still stand. He came to be with us – first in the flesh through His Son Jesus Christ and then through His indwelling Spirit so that every believer from the first century until now has God with him. Christmas comforts us with the good news that Immanuel, “God with us,” has come, so we never need to be alone.

  Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be born in a manger for us. In every season and situation of our lives, please help us to find comfort and hope in Your presence, in Your nearness.