For the One Who Feels Hopeless
If you feel surrounded, pressured, or backed into a corner with no way out—Advent is for you.
That was Judah’s reality in Isaiah 7. Two enemy kingdoms had formed an alliance and were marching toward Jerusalem. Isaiah 7:2 says the people were shaken “as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.” Fear wasn’t just present—it was overwhelming.
So, God sent the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz with one simple message: “Be careful. Be calm. Don’t be afraid.” (Isaiah 7:4)
It was an invitation to trust rather than panic. Ahaz refused, and though his refusal led to horrible consequences, God made the promise that would one day be fulfilled in Jesus.
Looking back at the situation from this side of the manger and the empty tomb, we are reminded that Advent is a season of hope—hope that God sees us, moves toward us, and steps into our world when everything feels uncertain.
The Choice: Control vs. Trust
Like Ahaz, we have a choice when we face impossible situations: we can either obey God’s instruction and trust His protection or depend on ourselves (verses 3–12).
Ahaz trusted his plan over God’s promise by appealing to the king of Assyria for help—and it cost him peace, integrity, and his nation’s future.
1. Our short-term fixes often create long-term disasters
Assyria’s “help” came with strings attached. Judah became dependent on them, then dominated by them, and ultimately dragged into captivity. Ahaz traded one problem for generations of bondage.
2. Control leads to spiritual compromise
Ahaz adopted Assyria’s pagan practices, and the people of Judah–God’s covenant people–followed suit. What began as a practical decision spiraled into idolatry.
3. When we don’t trust God, fear, anxiety, and instability increase
From this point in history begins a seven-century period of spiritual and political turmoil for the Jewish people. They would be conquered first by the Assyrians, and then by the Babylonians. Their families would be scattered, the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, and generations of Israelites would grow up without access to the temple for worship. When the exiles finally returned, there was a period of oppression by other foreign powers which led to a revolt until eventually the Roman Empire rose up and took control of the region.
God Shows Up—Even When We Don’t Choose Him
But even in Ahaz’s unbelief, God doesn’t turn His back on Judah. He makes a promise that stretched far beyond that moment:
“The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
This sign carried two layers of meaning:
• Immediate reassurance: God was still with Judah, even though they would now face the natural consequences of rejecting Him.
• Ultimate fulfillment: God Himself (Immanuel) would one day step into their story to save them.
This is the heart of Advent: God doesn’t abandon us when we make the wrong choice. He doesn’t withdraw when we cling to control. He steps into our chaos. He draws close. He keeps His promises.
Advent Hope: God With Us in What We Cannot Control
If you’re facing something impossible right now, God’s word to you is the same one He gave Ahaz: “Be careful. Be calm. Don’t be afraid.”
Advent reminds us that hope is not found in our ability to hold everything together. Hope is found in the steady presence of our ever-present God.
The Lord Himself has given us a sign:
He came.
He is with you now.
He is coming again to make all things right.
This is the Ancient Hope we cling to—hope stronger than fear and deeper than our need for control.
This post is inspired by message one of our 2025 Advent sermon series, “Jesus: The Long Awaited Promise,” given by Dr. Jody Ray.