What are you most afraid of? Have you ever shaken with fear? We have two dogs, Paisley and Xena. Paisley is very frightened by thunderstorms. Xena is more afraid of fireworks. On July 4, they both lose their minds. They shake uncontrollably. Same with thunderstorms. Now imagine if on some unlucky July 4, a thunderstorm coincided with the fireworks (and didn’t extinguish them). Thunder would echo the boom of fireworks. It would be a long night for our pups.
Ancient Judah, the Southern Kingdom, where Isaiah prophesied was often concerned about a military incursion from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Aram, or present-day Syria presented another but different threat. Isaiah tells us that during Ahaz’s reign, the two opponents combined their forces to attack Judah. It was the perfect storm. The house of David shook with fear like leaves on a tree.
Have you seen the acronym F.E.A.R.? Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. Notice two things: first, these combined armies did not overrun Judah in their initial attack. Second, Ahaz and his people are called the house of David here. This means they were David’s descendants – the same David who scolded Saul and the armies of Israel for fearing the Philistine Goliath. The enemies had not yet overcome God’s people. David’s blood ran in Ahaz’s veins. The God of David was also their God. They had nothing to fear.
All our fear is caused by calculating without God. Without God, any number of problems in our lives might overwhelm us today. A popular Christian song explains it well, “My fear doesn’t stand a chance when I stand in your love, Lord.” Fear may knock on your door today. Let faith answer the door. Nothing will be there. Since God is with us, who can be against us?
