Faith, hope, acceptance, discernment, trust, patience. How much better this troubled world would be if we all even tried to live up to these qualities, much less succeeded.
Well, it looks like the author would have us add Trust to the growing list of qualities we should possess to get us through the wilderness to the plan that God has for us all. We already mentioned faith, hope, acceptance, discernment along with trust. I would also add patience - a lot of it! And also eyes to see and hearts to respond in action and love when the hoped for sign appears. And when we are afraid - afraid to ask God for help for whatever reason, it is comforting to think that She will reach out to us, keeping her promise to be present with us, always near.
It is wonderful to know that She will reach out even if we don't! Thanks for bringing that idea to the forefront, Gina! I also appreciate your acknowledgement of God's feminine elements!
I found today's entry to be very reassuring. The Bible passage describes the plans that the enemies of the Israelites are making to destroy Judah. The booklet explains it as, "Not good news." We have certainly had our share of "not good news" recently. I'm reminded of the quote from the Moderna CEO about the new COVID variant-- "This is not going to be good. . . ."
But, God tells Isaiah that those enemy threats aren't going to happen, not now, not ever. He's got this covered, and He's even going to send a sign. (I admit that I'm a bit confused about the comfort in that "sign," the birth of Jesus, because it won't happen until 800 years later.) But there is the clear message that God is watching out for His people. I know that history--even recent history--shows us that sometimes bad things DO happen to God's people, but these verses show that in God's "big picture" perspective, it's all going to work out. (Maybe in His perspective, 800 years is just a wink?)
I like the quotable line at the end of verse 9, especially because of the word play: "Have firm faith, or you will not stand firm."
@amy carroll I saw a footnote about Matthew referring to those Isaiah verses, also. If Isaiah is not referring to Jesus, about whom is he talking? You've really piqued my curiosity!
Remembering that this was written after the fall of Ahaz' enemies, Immanuel might have been someone known to the people. Isaiah might have later said to Immanuel, "That happened before you were born." Isaiah refers to Immanuel again in 8:8. I use the word might because ... I don't really know. 🤔
Faith, hope, acceptance, discernment, trust, patience. How much better this troubled world would be if we all even tried to live up to these qualities, much less succeeded.
Well, it looks like the author would have us add Trust to the growing list of qualities we should possess to get us through the wilderness to the plan that God has for us all. We already mentioned faith, hope, acceptance, discernment along with trust. I would also add patience - a lot of it! And also eyes to see and hearts to respond in action and love when the hoped for sign appears. And when we are afraid - afraid to ask God for help for whatever reason, it is comforting to think that She will reach out to us, keeping her promise to be present with us, always near.
I found today's entry to be very reassuring. The Bible passage describes the plans that the enemies of the Israelites are making to destroy Judah. The booklet explains it as, "Not good news." We have certainly had our share of "not good news" recently. I'm reminded of the quote from the Moderna CEO about the new COVID variant-- "This is not going to be good. . . ."
But, God tells Isaiah that those enemy threats aren't going to happen, not now, not ever. He's got this covered, and He's even going to send a sign. (I admit that I'm a bit confused about the comfort in that "sign," the birth of Jesus, because it won't happen until 800 years later.) But there is the clear message that God is watching out for His people. I know that history--even recent history--shows us that sometimes bad things DO happen to God's people, but these verses show that in God's "big picture" perspective, it's all going to work out. (Maybe in His perspective, 800 years is just a wink?)
I like the quotable line at the end of verse 9, especially because of the word play: "Have firm faith, or you will not stand firm."