What to Do?

(from the message given at SSB on January 10, 2021)

So here we are!   In a political and national mess!   What is a Christian to think and do?

Some advice from Isaiah when he was in a similar situation – when he was troubled, his nation was facing great threats, and there was a leadership crisis.

Isaiah cried out, “Here am I” (8:18).

What was before Isaiah?  What was giving Isaiah angst?

Two threatening armies were camped very near and a great enemy was on the horizon (7:2).

His king didn’t want God’s will (7:12) – he was trusting in a pact with man (the Assyrians).

His people didn’t want God’s way (8:6).

His people would be heavily affected by the invasion, but not conquered (8:8).

God’s people were accused of being conspirators with the enemy (8:11).

What to do?  Anchors for Isaiah and from Isaiah for us:

1. 8:13, Fear, revere and love God – God is aware, engaged, and cares
2. 8:14, God is a sanctuary – He will protect
3. 8:14b-15, Evil will be addressed – they won’t get away with it!
4. 8:16, Bind and seal the Word (the Law = principles/rules; the Testimony = stories)
   Bind – keep it for future days and generations, cling to it.
   Seal – put it to memory to use in defense as did Jesus

Five verses to know:  Isaiah 41:10, Heb 13:6-7, Jer 32:27, I Cor 10:13, John 10:28-30

5. 8:16b, “My disciples” – a group of followers (8:18, a family given)
   Be knit with others for hope and help, Hebrews 10:24-25.

6. 8:17, Wait – it will grow your faith and allow His power and love to show forth
   II Cor 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

7. 8:17, When God looks away His people might suffer but He will carry them.
   Joshua, of great faith in God, had to wander with non-believers for 38 years

8. 8:17, Hope – 7:14 a child born, thus know that God is with us!  Immanuel!
   Hebrews 13:7, I will never leave you nor forsake you.

9. 8:18, a people of signs – with messages
10. Isaiah means “God saves”
11. Shear-Jashub means “some survive” – there will be a remnant – some will be saved
12. Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz means “come get spoils and plunder – God brings judgment
13. 8:18, A people of wonder – the future is great per the Lord of Mt Zion

Hebrews 12:22-23, But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all.

Knowing these truths should help us to face uncertain days fully confident in our God and thus acting and talking in a way that causes those weak in faith or outside of faith to take note and ask.  And we will clearly and confidently talk about Jesus as the only way, the truth and the true life and that only through a rejection of self and an embrace of Him will similar hope and help come to them.  May our lights shine!!