Thursday · 2026-09-17

Today's Come Follow Me devotional invites us to study Isaiah 7–8, where we find the Lord's invitation to trust Him amidst threats and fear, and the profound promise of Immanuel.

Scripture Reading

• Isaiah 7: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/7?lang=eng
• Isaiah 8: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/8?lang=eng

Historical and Narrative Context

In the days of King Ahaz of Judah, around 735 BC, the kingdoms of Syria and Israel (Ephraim) formed an alliance and sought to attack Judah and replace Ahaz with a new king. This military threat caused great fear among King Ahaz and his people, who were "moved, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind" (Isaiah 7:2). The Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to counsel Ahaz, assuring him that this alliance would fail and urging him not to fear, but to trust in the Lord. Although Ahaz refused to ask for a sign of the Lord's power, Isaiah nonetheless prophesied of a virgin who would conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning "God with us," signifying that before this child understood good and evil, the kingdoms threatening Judah would be destroyed. Despite this divine assurance, Ahaz chose to rely on the Assyrian Empire for help, an action that ultimately brought further difficulties upon Judah. Isaiah 8 continues this narrative, emphasizing that the people should not fear the schemes of men but rather sanctify and fear the Lord.

Reflective Questions

1. How can we cultivate greater trust in the Lord when faced with overwhelming fears or threats, especially when immediate circumstances seem dire and human solutions appear more readily available?
2. In what ways does the sign of Immanuel—"God with us"—offer comfort and reassurance in our personal challenges, knowing that Christ's birth was the ultimate fulfillment of this promise and a constant reminder of God's abiding presence?

Closing Tying Insight

Isaiah 7–8 serves as a powerful testament to the consequences of misplaced fear and the profound comfort found in God's covenant promises. King Ahaz's decision to trust in worldly alliances rather than the Lord's explicit assurance highlights the dangers of allowing fear to overshadow faith. Yet, in the midst of this political turmoil and Ahaz's wavering faith, the Lord provided the enduring sign of Immanuel, a promise that "God is with us." This prophecy not only spoke to the immediate deliverance of Judah but ultimately heralded the coming of Jesus Christ, the literal embodiment of God dwelling among His people. Even when we feel overwhelmed by external pressures or personal anxieties, this divine declaration reminds us that the Lord is ever-present and capable of delivering on His promises.