Isaiah 7:1-9
“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” – Isaiah 7:9
Click to read passage
King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of the northern kingdom of Israel joined forces to attack Judah. Although they failed to capture Jerusalem, the news that “Syria is in league with Ephraim” was enough to make the heart of King Ahaz and his people “shake as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.”
At that time, Israel had already split into two kingdoms, the southern kingdom Judah and the northern kingdom Israel, often also called “Ephraim.” Now, with a powerful enemy approaching, Judah faced a real crisis. Yet God’s message to Ahaz was not how to fight, but simply this: “Be careful, be quiet, do not fear.” By verse 9, God goes even further, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”
This verse reminds us that a crisis tests not only our ability, but our faith.
Sometimes what truly shakes us isn’t what has actually happened, but what we hear: the “rumours of trouble”, such as an economic downturn, declining numbers, insufficient resources, or an uncertain future. Before anything has even happened, our hearts are already gripped by fear.
God sent the prophet to King Ahaz because, although the danger in the surrounding circumstances was real, God’s sovereignty was even more real.
This coming Sunday is Preschool Sunday, which reminds me of the decision Foochow Methodist Church faced four years ago regarding its preschool education ministry. At the time, enrolment numbers kept declining, the ministry was running significant losses, and it did not receive government subsidies. Humanly speaking, continuing was not an easy decision.
However, for the sake of the gospel mission, after careful review and prayer, the church decided in faith to continue. We were not blind to the difficulties, nor naively optimistic that the future would surely go smoothly. In the midst of hardship, we reconsidered why we were continuing. If preschool education was not merely an educational endeavour but a gospel mission entrusted to the church, then even in difficult circumstances, were we still willing to remain faithful?
That decision four years ago gave us a deeper understanding of the reminder in verse 9. Faith does not deny difficulty, but it means continuing to trust God amid uncertainty and being willing to take the next step He calls us to take.
In a society like Singapore, which values efficiency and results, it is easy to measure the worth of a ministry by numbers, finances, and outcomes. But the fruit of the gospel is not always immediately visible. A Bible story a child hears, the care shown by a teacher, a family’s experience of being welcomed by the church, all of these can become seeds of God’s gospel.
So, when we hear troubling news again in the days ahead, or think about crises we may face in the future, let us ask ourselves. Am I letting fear shape my decisions, or am I learning to trust God and faithfully take the next step in faith?
“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”
Reflection:
What is it today that makes my heart shake like the trees of the forest? Am I willing to hand this worry over to God, and believe that He is still in control?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, when we face the unknown and difficulties, guard our hearts so they will not be shaken by fear. Grant us faith to trust You even when we cannot see the way ahead, to remain faithful even when resources are limited, and to keep sowing even when we cannot see the fruit. Continue to lead the preschool education ministry of Foochow Methodist Church, so that every teacher, child, and family may experience Your grace, and so that this field may become a blessing to the community. Lord, circumstances will change, but You alone do not change. Because we trust in You, may we stand firm. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of the northern kingdom of Israel joined forces to attack Judah. Although they failed to capture Jerusalem, the news that “Syria is in league with Ephraim” was enough to make the heart of King Ahaz and his people “shake as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.”
At that time, Israel had already split into two kingdoms, the southern kingdom Judah and the northern kingdom Israel, often also called “Ephraim.” Now, with a powerful enemy approaching, Judah faced a real crisis. Yet God’s message to Ahaz was not how to fight, but simply this: “Be careful, be quiet, do not fear.” By verse 9, God goes even further, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”
This verse reminds us that a crisis tests not only our ability, but our faith.
Sometimes what truly shakes us isn’t what has actually happened, but what we hear: the “rumours of trouble”, such as an economic downturn, declining numbers, insufficient resources, or an uncertain future. Before anything has even happened, our hearts are already gripped by fear.
God sent the prophet to King Ahaz because, although the danger in the surrounding circumstances was real, God’s sovereignty was even more real.
This coming Sunday is Preschool Sunday, which reminds me of the decision Foochow Methodist Church faced four years ago regarding its preschool education ministry. At the time, enrolment numbers kept declining, the ministry was running significant losses, and it did not receive government subsidies. Humanly speaking, continuing was not an easy decision.
However, for the sake of the gospel mission, after careful review and prayer, the church decided in faith to continue. We were not blind to the difficulties, nor naively optimistic that the future would surely go smoothly. In the midst of hardship, we reconsidered why we were continuing. If preschool education was not merely an educational endeavour but a gospel mission entrusted to the church, then even in difficult circumstances, were we still willing to remain faithful?
That decision four years ago gave us a deeper understanding of the reminder in verse 9. Faith does not deny difficulty, but it means continuing to trust God amid uncertainty and being willing to take the next step He calls us to take.
In a society like Singapore, which values efficiency and results, it is easy to measure the worth of a ministry by numbers, finances, and outcomes. But the fruit of the gospel is not always immediately visible. A Bible story a child hears, the care shown by a teacher, a family’s experience of being welcomed by the church, all of these can become seeds of God’s gospel.
So, when we hear troubling news again in the days ahead, or think about crises we may face in the future, let us ask ourselves. Am I letting fear shape my decisions, or am I learning to trust God and faithfully take the next step in faith?
“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”
Reflection:
What is it today that makes my heart shake like the trees of the forest? Am I willing to hand this worry over to God, and believe that He is still in control?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, when we face the unknown and difficulties, guard our hearts so they will not be shaken by fear. Grant us faith to trust You even when we cannot see the way ahead, to remain faithful even when resources are limited, and to keep sowing even when we cannot see the fruit. Continue to lead the preschool education ministry of Foochow Methodist Church, so that every teacher, child, and family may experience Your grace, and so that this field may become a blessing to the community. Lord, circumstances will change, but You alone do not change. Because we trust in You, may we stand firm. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.