Likewise the believer must develop the ability to stand firm in the faith. That is precisely what Isaiah emphasized to his people during his lifetime. Isaiah was a prophet in Judah during the reign of King Ahaz. During his reign the king of Assyria allied with the northern kingdom, Israel to wage war against Judah. Ahaz and the people of Judah were exceedingly afraid.
God instructed Isaiah to give King Ahaz a very clear message. "Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, 'Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,' thus says the Lord: It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass." This very clear message from God was clearly understood by King Ahaz. God concluded his message to King Ahaz with these words, "If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all." (Is. 7:9b)
The last portion of this message to King Ahaz is as relevant to us today as it was to Ahaz, who reigned from 735 - 715 B.C. Standing firm in faith means standing firm upon God's clearly communicated message. It was a matter of King Ahaz putting his trust and confidence in God, but standing upon what God said or if he would distrust God and not stand upon God's word to him.
We too must stand firm upon God's clearly revealed message. God's message at this point in human history is found solely in His Word. We must stand firm in faith - stand firm upon God's Word - or not be firm at all. Where weakness is present among God's people perhaps it is due to our unwillingness to stand firm on particular portions of God's Word. Let us stand firm in faith by being firm in our trust in God's Word.
