Ahaz’s Predicament: As we wait in eager anticipation for the blessed day of Christ’s birth, we are drawn once again into the far past – the 8th century B.C – into a familiar prophetic text from Isaiah, Chapter 7.
The Lord speaks to Isaiah, and through him, to the young ruler of Judah, Ahaz, (the grandson of King Uzziah) who ruled from 735 to 715 B.C. The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel have been planning to “tear Judah asunder” because of Ahaz’s refusal to form an anti-Assyrian alliance with them. In the midst of the storm, comes this assurance from the Lord to Ahaz, “Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear.; let not your courage fail….”
The Kingdom of Judah is surrounded by vicious enemies, but the LORD reminds Isaiah and King Ahaz of His promise, made centuries ago, to King David – that God Himself would preserve the line of David’s kingdom – by providing a King who would reign forever, a King whose name would be Emmanuel, God with us.
Dream Big
When preparing for this reflection, I chanced upon Bishop Barron’s powerful sermon on this passage where God is inviting Ahaz, and us, His people, to dare to dream big.
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!
King Ahaz, young and inexperienced, has not yet learned to trust God. Like us, he is buffeted by the opinions of those around him and by worldly problem-solving methods.
Where, and to whom, do we turn in an unexpected crisis? Most often, we use our faculties to think analytically and politically, employing worldly tactics and resources to avoid defeat.
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
Yet, equally often, we remain defeated because so many of our crises – whether health, financial or family dysfunction – go beyond our human capacity, and require supernatural intervention.
When we walk only by sight and not by faith, we fail to engage the One who “sits on the throne” – our Divine Advocate and Deliverer who has promised to answer all who call upon His name. Indeed, St. Paul tells us we have a God “who can do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.”
How can I learn to stop worrying and actively trust God by engaging in prayer?
Mary’s Quandary
One can only imagine young Mary in today’s Gospel as she received the life-altering message of the Angel Gabriel. No doubt familiar with Isaiah’s prophecy, what wonder, and fear, might have gripped her at the astounding revelations of her becoming mother to the Son of God, the promised Messiah, before her marriage to Joseph was consummated.
But unlike King Ahaz, Mary has already learned to trust the limitless power and love of God. And God, her Saviour, did supernaturally intervene, inspiring Joseph to protect Mary from being stoned to death.
This Christmas, may I learn to daily entrust the big battles I face to the infinite love and power of my God, like Mary did. God will, and can, make a way.
