Isaiah 7:7

New International Version

Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘It will not take place,
    it will not happen.

For Encouragement

The heart of King Ahaz and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm (Isaiah 7:2). Syria and Israel had gathered against Judah, and Ahaz lost his godly perspective. What do they do? 

The good news is that God never loses His perspective on His children. When the lights go out on His beloved and life throws us into a panic, God is right in there with us and is ready with the solution. So, as the royal court of Judah shook and trembled with fear, Isaiah walked in with a message from the Almighty and All-knowing God.

‘Be careful, keep calm, and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah. Aram, Ephraim, and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘It will not take place,

it will not happen,

I love it!

God knew where worried King Ahaz was (3), and He knew what Ahaz needed to hear to calm him down. Though Ahaz shied away from asking the Lord for a sign (10-12), he received one anyway.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel,” which means God with us (14). God Himself will be with His people as Redeemer, and the enemy cannot overcome.

Matthew confirms the fulfillment of this prophecy in the virgin conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:22-23).

The birth of this Messiah is the Christmas story and the reason for our celebration. The forces of darkness have risen against God’s people, but the birth of Immanuel assures us that their plan for our lives will not happen because God is with us.

When you have lost your bearing and wandering all about the place, ready to embrace the worst, God knows where you are and what to employ to relieve your anxiety. Just as God found Elijah and threw His warmth around him under the broom tree (1 Kings 1:19:3-8), God found Ahaz and encouraged him through Isaiah.

We draw strength from the One we celebrate this season—our Immanuel, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God with us. Therefore, we will fear nothing.

David knew this truth so well when he penned Psalm 23. Even though he walked through the darkest valley, he said he would not fear any evil, for the Sovereign Lord is with him (4).

Your darkest valley may be the medical report you received, the divorce threat, or the financial report. Can you trust that the Sovereign Lord has the last word on those reports? Can you believe it if God says you have nothing to worry about because He is with you?