The prophet Isaiah preached at a time when the northern kingdom of Israel was allied with powerful Syria. When Pekah, king of Israel, and Rezin, king of Syria, threatened to invade Judah and overwhelm the city of Jerusalem, Ahaz, king of Judah and his advisors were terrified.
Can you imagine being in Ahaz’s shoes...err, sandals? His country was being threatened by very powerful rulers who wanted to wipe out the city of Jerusalem. The Bible clearly states that, “...the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind” (Isaiah 7:2).
Wouldn’t we all be? In a moment of crisis, Ahaz was faced with a question that we all have probably faced at one time or another: could he trust God to take care of his people and meet their needs?
Knowing the king's heart, God spoke to Isaiah and told him to speak the words in the passage above.
It is within this passage that God gave Ahaz, and also gives us, clear instructions for how to face anxiety. He tells us to do the following:
- Be careful to avoid making bad decisions in the midst of our anxiety.
- Keep calm.
- Do not be afraid.
- Do not lose heart for He (God) will take care of us.
He will take care of us and meet our needs. All He needs from us is faith, even if that faith is only as big as a mustard seed.
Will you trust Him with your needs today?
Lord, still the anxiety within my heart and help me to have faith and to trust in you. Thank you for showing me that you understand my struggles, and for reminding me of your faithfulness. I praise your goodness and thank you for always taking care of my needs—even when I can’t see you at work. Amen.
Go Deeper — What is something that you are feeling anxious over today? I challenge you to leave it at the feet of the One who can handle it much more effectively than you ever could and let His peace wash over you as you allow Him to meet your needs.
Read Further — Here is a very short account of how one person overcame the anxiousness that had overwhelmed her.
Photo Credit: Natalia Y