The Sign of Peace
King Ahaz was a jackass
And a murderous one at that
The faithless shepherd of Israel
Who roasted children before his gods.
But before his Assyrian enemies he shook and cowered,
and the prophet Isaiah came with a strong word from God:
“If you don’t stand firm in faith, you will not stand at all.”1
The LORD had determined to protect
His people from the Assyrian wolves;
He told wicked Ahaz to ask for a sign
And false-hearted Ahaz refused.
Yet the LORD was committed to His purpose of peace
And gave Ahaz a sign foretelling a birth then and hence
A maiden would give birth to a child, Emmanuel, “God with us”2:
“If you don’t stand firm in faith, you will not stand at all.”
Now as we celebrate our Savior God’s birth
We light a second purple candle to remember
A virgin’s journey to Bethlehem to bear Jesus,
Our Emmanuel.
1Isaiah 7:9(b)
2Isaiah 7:14
Dreams from a Pilgrimage 
Awesome, Dora! Love this! How arrogant to not do what the Lord asks him to do because he thinks he’s being pious. Lord make us sensitive to you and not our flesh! Love, hugs and blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, dear Mandy, and Amen!! His false piety makes God’s grace and forbearance even more startling. Praise God for His great mercy towards us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So thankful that God was committed 💯‼️ Thanks, Dora! Blessed Sunday to ya!!😊❤
LikeLike
You too, Pat! Praise God whose mercies never fail. 🤗💖
LikeLike
Good reminder: If we don’t stand firm in faith we will not stand at all.
LikeLike
Thank you, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to look up Ahaz. He and Ivan the Terrible would find things in common to talk about, I suppose, wherever they are.
LikeLike
There’s a thought. What company they must be for each other!
LikeLiked by 1 person
molech blood for idols
like icon clasts
not fun
no blast
holy images
in His image are we all!~
LikeLike
POwerful to think in the difficult context of the 8th Century BC we have this prophecy be given
LikeLike
That’s something that never ceases to amaze me: the forbearance of God towards all and His safe-keeping love for the remnant who look to Him and to whom the message of hope is given.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen His forebearance is amazing. We wouldn’t be saved without it! History still being ongoing attests to His forebearance big time!
LikeLiked by 1 person