Advent Reading 7: Isaiah 7

"Ask a sign..." (Isaiah 7:11)

King Ahaz of Judah was given an incredible opportunity by God: "Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; make it as deep as Sheol or high as heaven" (7:11). Ahaz responded, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!" (7:12).

So, God does Ahaz the favor of giving him a sign anyway. Of course we know Ahaz didn't see it fulfilled in his lifetime, but that does not nullify the fact that God did fulfill His word. A virgin bore a son and called his name Immanuel [God is with us] (see Isaiah 7:14).

Has God told you something? Something amazing? Something seemingly impossible? What an experience to see the hand of God at work in human lives, to know that the LORD keeps His word. And every now and then we get the privilege of seeing things happen.

The virgin got the announcement, then had to wait for the months necessary for our Messiah to develop and grow to a point where He could live outside of the womb. Mary and Elizabeth praised the Lord in advance of the birth of Jesus, because He had assured them of the fulfillment of His word (see Luke 1:42-56).

God has spoken. So, what do we do? We wait in faith and in anticipation. That's Advent: we are waiting for things to come. I had a great conversation with Pastor Sam this past Thursday on the values of patience and grace as we wait for God to move in our lives and the lives of those we pray for. Let's be patient and wait for nine months... two years... twelve years... twenty years... let's live and die in a posture of patience and grace, because God has spoken. Advent. It will come.