COULD NOT PREVAIL
During the days of Ahaz, King of Judah, two evil kings conspired to attack the city of Jerusalem. These were Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, king of backslidden Israel. This was an unholy alliance of a gentile nation and God’s people who had walked away from their faith. Together, non-believers and unsanctified believers become a formidable team. They will fight to the death over an ungodly cause. They argue over things that have nothing to do with God’s purposes just to win the battle. And they are an embarrassment to God because the non-believing world is watching.
After telling us of this unlikely team attacking Jerusalem (which means ‘the city of peace’), Isaiah added the little phrase “but [they] could not prevail against it” (Isaiah 7:1). The rest of the chapter gives us the details of how and why the invasion failed.
I fully expect both non-Christians and deceived believers to be working hard to hinder what God’s new move is attempting to accomplish. The Book of Acts gives us many examples. Church history is filled with examples. My own life experience serving in the church from 1971 to today is loaded with examples. But, as we look back, God’s kingdom progresses. The enemy could not prevail against the spiritually mature. And he cannot.
Face your enemy with courage. Stand on what you know to be the truth. Don’t compromise your Christian values. Peter said, “Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Stay on your guard.