A Baby in the Belfry

we can create on a human level. As in Isaiah's day, we see these approaching adversaries and wonder what God will do with them.

Ahaz was camped out by the aqueduct because of his fear. He was down at the washer's field, where the water would be cut off. There he was with his head in his hands, wondering: "Then the LORD said to Isaiah, ‘Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field. Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood" (vv. 3-4a). In other words, God was saying, "Yes, they look like torches burning now—but in My sight, I see them as blown-out candles. Do not fear them."

From God's point of view,what is the very end of our adversaries? In relation to every adversary we face, God gives us a determined destiny. Whether this is something that affects you emotional, mentally, psychologically, materially, financially, spiritually, morally or ethically, God has it all under control.

God's words suggest He notices you have a lot of fear. You fear disasters, inadequate defenses and the adversaries who march against you. But there is a fear greater than all those—the fear of unbelief. The only relief for your life is belief. It is amazing that there are so many difficulties in getting Christians to truly embrace these words: "If you can but believe." This faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights" (v. 10). To understand this, you must first revisit verse 9: "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." The key word here is your—it is not our. That is, it is your faith alone upon which you stand.

Many have a tendency to blame others for their own inability to stand. Many are upset with everyone around them simply for the sake of being upset. There is no need to be upset or angry about someone else's faith. You cannot stand on the faith of those around you. You must stand on the faith God has given to you to understand that He is your impenetrable defense in the face of life's terrors. The encouragement in these words is that we can stand firm in the faith He has

given to us by trusting what He says.

After the establishment of faith, Ahaz was prompted to ask for a sign. This is one of the only places where an invited test appears. Malachi 3:10 says, "Test me." God's words to Ahaz were, "Ask Me whatever you want to ask Me," and serves in the same way as those words in Malachi.