vii. 1, 2. _And it came to pass, in the days of Ahaz the
son of Jotham, &c._
In this brief record of events[1] that occurred so long ago, we may
find suggestions of truths which it will be well for us to lay to
heart to-day. +I. Men often confidently form purposes when they find
it impossible to fulfil+ (ver. 1). Rezin and Pekah no doubt were sure
their project would be successful; they left no means untried to make
it a success; they had many things to encourage them (2 Chron.
xxviii. 5-7); success seemed certain, yet they failed! In verse 6 we
have another statement of their purpose, and in verse 7 we are told
the real reason why it failed: GOD determined that it should not
stand. This is an illustration of much that takes place in our own
day, in our own life. Purposes daringly conceived, and wisely and
energetically prosecuted, come to nothing; and in such cases GOD is
often the real hindrance. He hinders, not because He has any
capricious delight in frustrating our plans, but because in them we
intend only our own self-aggrandisement. It is with our purposes as
with our prayers (Jas. iv. 3). If He hinders, no alliance formed with
men can profit us; even Rezin will help in vain. In forming our
plans, let us remember and acknowledge our dependence on the
permission and help of God (Jas. iv. 13-15; Ps. cxxvii. 1). If plans
should be formed for our hurt or overthrow, let us comfort ourselves
by remembering that all men are under God's control. The confederacy
may be very powerful; most elaborate preparations may be made for the
accomplishment of its purpose; but there can be no success unless the
Lord will (Dan. iii. 16-18). +II. Men often give way to unreasonable
panics+ (ver. 2). Panics are very common, very painful, very
dangerous and hurtful. Their cause: lack of faith in God. Without
faith in the controlling providence of God, men are naturally as
liable to alarm as is a wealthy man who on a foggy night has to make
his way through a dangerous quarter of a strange city; he knows not
whether those footsteps he hears behind him are those of a policeman
or of a garotter! Firmness is the reward of faith--of intelligent
confidence exercised by righteous men in a righteous God (Ps. iii. 6;
lvi. 11; xci. 5; cxii. 7, 8, &c.). Deliverance from fear is one of
the respects in which "godliness has the promise of the life that now
is." This blessing may be yours, if you will; yours in times of
domestic, of commercial, of national alarm. You may be delivered, if
you will, from the supreme fear--fear of death. Christ came into the
world for the purpose of delivering you from it (Heb. ii. 14, 15).
Yield yourself to be really His, and your end shall be peace (Ps.
xxiii. 4; lxxiii. 26).