Belief is Not Faith

Scripture: Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the Lord your God. Make it either as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, nor will I tempt the Lord. Then he said, "Hear now, O house of David. Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:10-14

Observation: One of the famous pronouncements of Messiah - the prophesy that he will be born of a virgin and named Immanuel - is pronounced because Ahaz does not have the courage to respond to God's offer of assistance. Through Isaiah, God has offered to Ahaz whatever sign he wishes, and Ahaz refuses to ask for fear of asking the wrong thing and thus bringing God's anger against him.

This very decision is at the paradox of Ahaz. Ahaz's lineage had remained faithful to the Lord, with both Uzziah (his grandfather) and Jotham (his father) doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, despite some typical exceptions. However, Ahaz turns to Baal worship and thus away from God. Yet Isaiah is sent as a messenger to Ahaz to tell him that Jerusalem will not fall to the upcoming Israel attack, and offers him a sign as evidence. In refusing, Ahaz is professing a fear of the Lord, yet has turned to other gods already. He believes in Yahweh's power and authority, yet in daily life has already determined not to worship and obey his teaching.

The paradox is this: Ahaz believes in the Lord, but rejects faith in the Lord.

Application: A friend once told me he believed in God, but had no intention of being a Christian. I do not understand this. Even when I went through my darkest times, I arrived at the conclusion that the existence of God was the only decision that mattered ... that if God existed, it is necessary to pursue an understanding an relationship with him, but if God did not exist that settled the matter. I do not understand how my friend, or Ahaz, can reach the fixed decision that God exists, and simultaneously decide that that realization does not inform their behavior.

The fact that God responds to Ahaz's paradox by immediately introducing the Messianic promise is wonderful. However, all of this only highlights the fact that belief in God does not always lead toward a faithful life - let alone faith in Jesus. One can believe in God - in fact, one can believe in God so strongly that they fear him and are convinced in his power and authority over life and events - and yet choose not to obey his word, follow his instructions, receive his love, worship his glory, or have faith in his son.

Prayer: Lord, I continue to pray for all my friends, and even those I do not know. Please help me to be a light over the next 36 hours, revealing your love to friends, neighbors, and strangers. Even more importantly, help all of us on the team figure out how to bring Jesus into the mix of those conversation, as it is not enough for people to simply acknowledge your existence, but rather I hope we help many on their way to faith. Amen.