For the Lord humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had made Judah act sinfully and had been very unfaithful to the Lord. (II Chronicles 28:19 ESV)
Amazing
Ahaz was a terrible King. He took advantage of those he was called to serve as King. He disobeyed and ignored God’s Word. He turned to SO many other solutions… including other nations, other powers, and his own cleverness.
And God not only looked with anger at Ahaz, He also humbled Judah, the remnant of Israel.
For those who were faithful at that time, despair must have been common.
They could see Ahaz and the entire nation slipping further and further into unfaithfulness. Not merely in actions and deeds… but in words, and thoughts, and beliefs.
They might have thought they had no hope.
But there was One hope.
The Messiah was coming.
And Jesus had Grace enough to purchase the forgiveness of all who would call on Him. And Jesus had Mercy enough to help all who would call on Him.
The exile of God’s people into Babylon was the immediate effect of Judah’s fall. But even there they were not forgotten.
The shadow, or the light, of the cross gave them hope even then.
And Christ brings that same light today, to His people. We, too, might feel despair, hopelessness, and doubt.
But the cross, and He who died on it, wins.
Jesus is the only hope of God’s people. Lean on Him, rather than fear.