The Lord uses trials as an occasion to deepen our faith in him. To that end he has given us his word and sacraments.
In this instance, the Bible says that the Lord brought enemies against Judah to trouble them. At the same time, he called King Ahaz and all Judah to deepen their trust in His promises. Even though the circumstances looked dire, God had promised to send his redeemer, Jesus Christ, through the nation of Israel, and through the line of David. And what God has promised to do, he will accomplish. Through this historical narrative, God calls us to deepen our faith in Him. To that end he has given us his word and sacraments.
Calvin, “Let us learn, that if we have any spark of faith, we ought not to distrust God when we are in any danger. It is indeed impossible that we should not be agitated and alarmed when dangers press upon us; but we ought not to tremble so as to be tossed about by our anxiety in every direction, and unable to see a harbour to which we may safely direct our course. There must always be this difference between the fear of the godly and of the ungodly, that the ungodly find no remedy for composing their minds; but the godly immediately betake themselves to God, in whom, knowing that they have a very safe harbour, though they be harassed by uneasiness, still they remain calm.” |
