I don’t normally rerun posts which are relatively recent. Making an exception this morning.

How come? Because, while it is the ancient Scripture in Isaiah that caught my attention this morning, it’s a recent post from two years ago that I am chewing on.

How come, again? Because these 2022 thoughts were typed only a few months before my world came crashing down. Not trying to be dramatic, but neither can I look back on the events of late ’22 as anything less than traumatic. And so, sitting where I’m sitting today, thinking back on the train wreck that I started going through back then, the abiding principle I wrote about two years ago rings even more true today. More true because experience has born it out. More true because having the truth of August ’22 “in my pocket” when November ’22 unexpectedly occurred is ultimately what allowed me to get past ’22. “Firm in faith” . . . that’s the foundation that holds fast when other foundations are ripped away.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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It was an ancient prophecy, but it contains an abiding principle. And in the original language, it looks like at its core is a twice-repeated word. Aman, aman.

Back story: In the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, the kings of Syria and Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it. And, in the face of this massive military aggression, the hearts of Ahaz and the people of Judah “shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (Isa. 7:1-2). Appropriate response, I would think. Makes sense to me.

The LORD, however, sends Isaiah the prophet to the king and commands him, “Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint” (7:4a). How come? Because, declares the LORD, though they advance together to conquer Judah, “It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass” (7:7a).

Hmm . . . An enemy army is advancing. Their intent is to terrify us, conquer us, and rule over us. But we’re not to fear, faint, or fret. Because Isaiah says that You have said, Lord God, “It ain’t gonna happen.” Your word, is that all we’ve got to go on? Apparently.

And here’s the abiding principle. The LORD God then says,

“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”

(Isaiah 7:9b ESV)

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all (CSB). If you will not believe, you surely shall not last (NASB). If you will not confide (aman in the original), you shall not abide (aman in the original). Aman, aman — a Hebrew play on words.

Believe and be still. Believe and be strong. Not complicated. Not easy either.

To be faced with what would naturally bring fear but to stay calm, be quiet, and trust that what God has said will be, will be. To face a situation that rightfully causes the heart to faint, and yet, by switching out just one letter, stand firm because of faith. That’s the principle I’m reminded of in this passage.

It is the way of the people of God. The way since the beginning of God choosing for Himself a people. Check out the first occurrence of aman in the Scriptures:

And [the LORD] brought [Abraham] outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed (aman) the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

(Genesis 15:5-6)

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Without faith it is impossible to stand before God (Eph. 2:8-9). Without faith it is also impossible to stand with God (Isa. 7:9). Lord, I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

Chewing on this ancient prophecy. Confessing how often I fail to rest in this abiding principle.

Believe and be still. Believe and be strong. Aman, aman.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.