Trusting God's Guidance: The Promise of Emmanuel
Summary
I'm filled with gratitude today, knowing that Jesus has been with me all day, and I trust that you feel the same. We are blessed by God's presence and should not wait until Sunday to express our gratitude. Today, we delve into the complexities of Isaiah, particularly chapters 7 through 9, which are part of the "Book of Emmanuel." This section of Isaiah is rich with prophecy and meaning, not only for the people of Isaiah's time but also for us today.
In these chapters, we encounter Ahaz, a king who, instead of seeking God's help, turns to Assyria for aid against his enemies. God sends Isaiah to Ahaz, urging him to trust in divine help rather than human alliances. This narrative introduces the concept of the "law of double reference," where prophecies have both immediate and future fulfillments. Isaiah's message to Ahaz is clear: trust in God, for He is the true source of strength and refuge.
The prophecy of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son named Emmanuel, meaning "God with us," is a pivotal moment in these chapters. This prophecy, fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, underscores the theme of divine presence and intervention. Isaiah's son, Shear-Jashub, whose name means "a remnant shall return," serves as a sign of hope and God's faithfulness to His people.
As we explore these chapters, we see the importance of recognizing God's guidance and purpose in our lives. Isaiah's precise instructions from God to meet Ahaz at a specific location highlight the significance of divine direction. The imagery of the conduit and the washer's field symbolizes the cleansing and life-giving power of Christ, the source of all blessings.
In our journey of faith, we are reminded to rely on God rather than our own understanding or the validation of others. God's plans are often beyond our comprehension, but His purpose is always for our good. Let us continue to seek His guidance and trust in His promises, knowing that He is with us, Emmanuel.
Key Takeaways:
- Gratitude and Presence: We are reminded to be grateful for God's presence in our lives daily, not just on Sundays. His blessings are constant, and acknowledging them brings us closer to Him. [00:00]
- Trust in Divine Guidance: The story of Ahaz teaches us the importance of seeking God's help rather than relying on human alliances. Trusting in God's plan, even when it seems unclear, leads to true refuge and strength. [15:58]
- Prophecy and Fulfillment: The prophecy of Emmanuel, "God with us," fulfilled in Jesus, highlights the dual nature of biblical prophecies. They speak to immediate circumstances and point to future divine interventions. [28:20]
- Purpose in God's Direction: Isaiah's specific instructions to meet Ahaz at a particular location illustrate the importance of following God's guidance. His directions have purpose, even when they seem unclear to us. [07:10]
- Relying on God Over Self: We are encouraged to rely on God more than ourselves. Human understanding is limited, but God's wisdom and plans are perfect. Trusting Him leads to peace and fulfillment. [41:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Gratitude for God's Presence
- [02:00] - Introduction to Isaiah's Prophecies
- [05:00] - The Book of Emmanuel
- [07:10] - Ahaz's Dilemma and God's Message
- [10:00] - The Law of Double Reference
- [12:30] - Prophecy of Emmanuel
- [15:58] - Trusting in God Over Human Alliances
- [20:00] - Isaiah's Precise Instructions
- [25:00] - The Significance of Shear-Jashub
- [28:20] - Fulfillment of Prophecy in Jesus
- [32:00] - The Conduit and Washer's Field
- [35:47] - Humanity and Divinity of Jesus
- [41:59] - Relying on God More Than Self
- [50:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 7:1-16
- Matthew 1:23
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the main reason King Ahaz turned to Assyria for help instead of seeking God's guidance? [07:10]
2. How does the prophecy of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son named Emmanuel relate to both the immediate context of Isaiah's time and the future coming of Jesus? [28:20]
3. What specific instructions did God give Isaiah regarding where to meet Ahaz, and what is the significance of this location? [07:10]
4. How does the sermon describe the reaction of Ahaz and the people of Judah to the threat from their enemies? [07:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Ahaz have been hesitant to ask God for a sign, and what does this reveal about his faith and priorities? [28:20]
2. How does the concept of the "law of double reference" help us understand the dual nature of biblical prophecies, particularly in the context of Isaiah's message? [07:10]
3. In what ways does the prophecy of Emmanuel serve as a reminder of God's presence and intervention in both historical and contemporary contexts? [28:20]
4. How does the imagery of the conduit and the washer's field symbolize the cleansing and life-giving power of Christ? [07:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on human alliances or your own understanding instead of seeking God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently now? [15:58]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of gratitude for God's presence in our lives. How can you cultivate a daily habit of expressing gratitude, not just on Sundays? [00:00]
3. Consider the prophecy of Emmanuel, "God with us." How does this truth impact your daily life and your understanding of God's presence in your current circumstances? [28:20]
4. Isaiah was given precise instructions to meet Ahaz at a specific location. How can you be more attentive to God's guidance in your life, even when it seems unclear or unexpected? [07:10]
5. The sermon encourages us to rely on God more than ourselves. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's plan. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? [41:59]
6. How can you recognize and resist the temptation to seek validation from others rather than from God? What practical steps can you take to focus on God's validation in your life? [56:31]
7. Reflect on the dual nature of biblical prophecies. How can understanding both the immediate and future fulfillments of these prophecies deepen your faith and trust in God's promises? [28:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude as a Daily Practice
Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that draws us closer to God. It is not reserved for Sundays or special occasions but is a daily acknowledgment of God's constant presence and blessings in our lives. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we become more aware of the divine presence that accompanies us every day. This awareness transforms our perspective, allowing us to see God's hand in both the mundane and the extraordinary moments of life. [00:00]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: What are three specific things you can thank God for today, and how can you make gratitude a daily habit?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Plan
The story of Ahaz in Isaiah teaches us the importance of seeking God's guidance over human alliances. Ahaz's reliance on Assyria instead of God serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting in human strength. God's plan may not always be clear to us, but it is always for our good. By placing our trust in Him, we find true refuge and strength, even in uncertain times. [15:58]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you relying on your own understanding instead of seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to trust Him more in this area today?
Day 3: The Dual Nature of Prophecy
The prophecy of Emmanuel, "God with us," highlights the dual nature of biblical prophecies. These prophecies speak to immediate circumstances while also pointing to future divine interventions. The birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy underscores the theme of divine presence and intervention in our lives. It reminds us that God's promises are not bound by time and that His word is always fulfilled. [28:20]
"For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the dual nature of prophecy change your perspective on God's promises in your life?
Day 4: Following God's Direction
Isaiah's precise instructions to meet Ahaz at a specific location illustrate the importance of following God's guidance. Even when His directions seem unclear, they have a purpose. This teaches us to be attentive to God's voice and to trust that His guidance leads us to where we need to be. By following His direction, we align ourselves with His purpose and experience His blessings. [07:10]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you feel God is guiding you, and how can you take a step of faith to follow His direction today?
Day 5: Relying on God's Wisdom
We are encouraged to rely on God more than ourselves. Human understanding is limited, but God's wisdom and plans are perfect. Trusting in Him leads to peace and fulfillment, as His purpose is always for our good. By surrendering our own understanding and embracing His wisdom, we find true peace and fulfillment in our journey of faith. [41:59]
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender your understanding to God's wisdom, and what steps can you take to do so today?
Quotes
"I'm going to rejoice and be glad in it. I have some good news today. All day long, I've been with Jesus, but more importantly, all day long, Jesus has been with me. I'm so grateful and thankful for the hand of the Lord on my life. I'm grateful and thankful that God continues to bless me. And as I look around, I know you are grateful and thankful, too, that the Lord continues to bless you. This is just another day that the Lord has given to you and you, too, should be grateful and thankful." [00:00:30] (33 seconds)
"And we shouldn't always have to wait to Sunday to give the Lord glory for what he's done in our lives. There's sometimes we just need to thank him for just being our God. Let us pray. God, thank you for just being God. Thank you for loving us and caring for us. Thank you, God, for peace. Thank you for joy. Thank you for love. Thank you for the anointing that flows in each of our lives." [00:01:02] (25 seconds)
"aimlessly but I'm going to give you the exact location that I need you to be because when God sends us and he gives us a location that means there's purpose to where he's sending us he says Isaiah I don't want you to get lost I don't want you to get distracted I don't want you I want you to go right here because I have a purpose for you in the place that I'm leading you it may not make sense to where I'm taking you it may not make sense that I'm asking you to take share Jehoshaphat with you and it may not make sense for you to go to the end of a conduit of the upper pool at the highway to the washers field Lord that sounds like a dead end to me but God said I got purpose for the place that I'm taking you" [00:09:10] (49 seconds)
"Lift up your eyes to the hills for which cometh your help. Why? Because all of my help comes from the Lord who did what? Made heaven and earth. It's a lifting up. It's a looking up as we move our way to the source of our blessing. All right, verses 4 through 9." [00:15:58] (24 seconds)
"I like that. If you are not firm in your faith, you will not be firm at all. We are going to get to that. Verse 4. Now, here we see part of the remaining statement of Isaiah to Ahaz. The statement was begun in verse 3, and then Isaiah says to Ahaz, in verse number 4, he says to Ahaz, he says, listen, I need you to take heed, be careful, be quiet, stop tripping." [00:17:54] (35 seconds)
"second time he confronts Ahaz Isaiah is trying to convince Ahaz that you don't need to get in league with anybody for help your help needs to come from God Ahaz I know it looks crazy but trust God God okay Isaiah goes to him and say listen just trust God and he'll destroy peck and resin but Ahaz had already purposed in his heart some other form of help and that help was in Tilgath Pilser and Isaiah stood before him again and said listen you don't have to believe me just ask the Lord for a sign Ahaz responded nope I'm not going to ask the Lord for a sign I will not put the Lord to the test the true reasons for declining the offer was the fact that Ahaz had already resolved not to do what God was telling him to do but to negotiate with Assyria and continue in the idolatry described in 2nd Kings 16 he had no desire for God to tell him you wrong" [00:23:14] (73 seconds)
"the miracle is the virgin looking back upon that statement during this dispensation we see that Isaiah used exactly the words that the Lord God placed upon his heart and that 750 years after this prediction the prophecy came to pass Matthew 1 23 from this passage there is no room for question about Isaiah's prophecy of a Messiah behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they should call his name Emmanuel which means God with us 750 years later after Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 we see Matthew saying behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and you should call his name Emmanuel and he's born in Bethlehem in a manger and we see prophecy coming to pass some of us can't wait a week for what God said and 750 years later this comes to pass for faith the sign is Jesus in Jesus alone" [00:30:46] (67 seconds)
"including ourselves and rely on God I heard a sermon on Sunday talking about that he would rely now he learned that he would rely now more on God than himself because of after everything I've been through I learned to rely on God more than I rely on myself and maybe there's somebody here tonight that could say pastor they ain't by themselves I've learned I had to learn how to rely on God more than myself all right so as we begin chapter 8 we recall that we're not going to get to chapter 9 tonight so then we're going to goст" [00:41:59] (53 seconds)
"pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall god don't like when we prideful when we think we know more than god we don't know anybody who thinks they know more than god we find here in this scripture that syria and samaria has refused to recognize the value of having an association with judah and so they spurned the waters of shiloah and joined forces with resin and pecca and the lord was bringing against them the armies of the king of assir which would flow over their lands like a great river and would even reach into judah also thus over spreading emmanuel's land that is the land promised by covenant to abraham's seed and it refers to the land of palestine the land of jehovah which he had claimed as his own when he declared the land shall not be sold forever for the land is mine" [00:52:30] (60 seconds)
"for somebody to recognize your value when the Lord already knows how valuable you are. Amen. Questions? Comments? Sometimes we look for validation. Absolutely. Sometimes we look for validation from people and not from God. We want people to validate us in a variety. And let me say this. I don't think there's anything wrong with human validation." [00:55:36] (36 seconds)
"But that's when we only seek that. I think that's a problem. When we don't seek our validation from God. Because he already knows how valuable we are. All of us want to be cheered on. But that shouldn't be the thing that motivates us." [00:56:12] (19 seconds)
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