Jump, I'll Catch You! Trusting God When It's Hard To Trust
Chris Solwecki |
December 1, 2021
I remember taking swimming lessons when I was just a kid. Like many other children, I imagine that the idea of jumping off the diving board struck fear into my heart. The swimming coach promised I was safe. My parents were closeby, and I knew they’d never let anything happen to me. Standing on the edge of that diving board, knowing that the only way off was to jump — it still didn’t sit well with me.
As we look at some Old Testament prophecy this week in our daily devotions, Isaiah 7 tells a tale that’s similar to me on the diving board. Okay, not really similar, except in the truth that both King Ahaz and I did not have appropriate faith.
In Isaiah 7:1-11, King Ahaz of Judah is unnerved by a political alliance between Aram and Ephraim. God tells Ahaz through Isaiah to relax. In fact, he says this verbatim:
‘Be careful, keep calm, and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.”
Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘It will not take place, it will not happen… (Isaiah 7:4-7).
God goes so far as to tell Ahaz to simply ask him for a sign.
Essentially God is saying, “Tell me what you need me to do to prove this to you, and I’ll do it.”
Ahaz's response floors me:
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
Feels like swimming lessons all over again.
Chris...Jump! I’ll catch you!
Chris...Jump! We’re paying a lot of money for these swimming lessons!
Chris...Jump! There are other children waiting!
Chris...Jump! You have nothing to fear!
So you say!
I eventually jumped. I learned how to swim. But trusting that coach — taking her at her word — that came slowly, and with great trepidation.
God has demonstrated His faithfulness over and over and over again. That’s why, when Ahaz balked at trusting God, God’s response was understandable…and fierce!
“Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.[f] 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. (Isaiah 7:13-16)
I’m going to send you the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Before you’re even old enough to know better, I will have solved this immediate problem you face. Even though you don’t trust me, I’ll help you.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris Solwecki is the pastor and director of the Vineyard Kids ministry.