June 28, 2026 - Isaiah 7-10

“In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it.  When the house of David was told, ‘Syria is in league with Ephraim,’ the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (7:1-2).  This is the introduction to the Syro-Ephraimitic crisis when the kings of Syria and Israel attacked King Ahaz and the southern kingdom of Judah.  How great was the fear of Ahaz!  How desperate were the people of Judah!  But, then, the Lord gave a sign that he would deliver the kingdom from its enemies:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.  For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted” (7:14-16).  A good reminder that those who trust in the Lord will never be disappointed.

Fight the good fight with all your might;

Christ is your strength, and Christ is your right;

Lay hold on life, and it shall be

Your joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace;

Lift up your eyes, and seek his face.

Life with its way before us lies;

Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside; upon your Guide

Lean, and his mercy will provide;

Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove

Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

Faint not, nor fear, his arms are near;

He changes not, and you are dear;

Only believe, and own it true

That Christ is all in all to you.   -- John S. B. Monsell (1863)