Do Not Be Afraid! Is. 7:1-14

Fear is a common struggle for us all on some level. Every was has had its heroes; Men or women who overcame their fears and accomplished some great feat. Fear stops us from not just from greatness, but most of us, from just living life with peace and security.

In Is. 9:6, we find that there is some of “Ahaz” in all of us.
Leaders and their people can be shaken by fear
1. Past battles can lead to fear
2. Power brokers can lead to fear (King Rezin of Syria in this case)
3. The boasting of an enemy can lead to fear

But God speaks (Adonai) The “name” of the Lord (YHWH) is “adonai”—He is the
supreme authority.
This is why we are reminder time and again not to fear other humans but to only fear God (Adonai).
1. We must “stand firm” (end of vs. 9)
If God is not our strong tower or firm foundation; then we will fall!
2. Faith overcomes fear (Heb. 11:7)
For Ahaz, this was believing that God would take care of him and the nation in spite of the army of Aram.

A The Sign - Signs are hard things. Sometimes God takes our asking for them as a lack of faith; at other times He tells us to ask for them. The issue is faith and not fear.
1. God wanted Ahaz to ask for a sign to build his faith.
This sign had a double meaning as most do.
1. It was for Ahaz and birth of a son
2. It was for us in the future; Jesus (Immanuel) from Mary. (Gen. 3:15; Mt. 1:20-25;
II Cor 9:15)
The virgin birth is a mystery in the truest God sense of the meaning. God could make himself visible in all kinds of ways; but in this way we have a “God who would be like us.” (Heb. 4:15; 9 & 10)

My fears about God are overcome by His love demonstrated in becoming “like me.” Jesus was flesh and lived like I have and offered himself as my redeemer. God entered the human condition.