God’s Word Calms Emotions - Isaiah 7-11

Isaiah 7:1-3 (ESV)

In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.
And the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field.

What happens to our emotions when we have under great stress?   In the above passage we hear of King Ahaz when he comes under the attack by the kings of Syria and Israel banded together to attack him.  Remember, Israel had split into two nations.  Israel to the north and the tribe of Judah to the south.   Israel will eventually fall to Babylon.  Years later, Judah will also eventually fall into captivity.   But, before this happens, King Pekah, of Israel, joined forces with King Rezin, of Syria to attack Judah.    Jerusalem is the capital city of Judah.   King Ahaz saw these kings as a mighty force that would certain crush him and his tiny nation.   Remember, Judah would be the tribe that God promised would bring forth the Messiah.  So, the destruction of Judah would mean that Satan could crush God’s promise of the Messiah.  This potential attack causes the Ahaz and the people to shake like trees in the forest.   Notice that the Spirit of God tells us about their emotional state.   God wants us to know that these people are impacted by this event.  Having our emotions impacted by attacks is a pretty normal response.   These are not super-humans.  They are not deity.   What is God’s response to this?  Notice verse three:

Isaiah 7:3 (ESV)
And the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field.

God’s response to this event and the citizens of Jerusalem was to send a messenger with His Word.   God’s Word is sent to encourage us and bring us refreshment and empower us.   This is God’s response to our emotional needs.   God does not ignore us when we hurt.  But, His solution is to hear His Word and trust His messenger who brings the message. Note how Paul says it:

Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.