He Will Never Let The Righteous Fall

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Isaiah 7:9b

God’s words to Ahaz, king of Judah, over 2,700 years ago still resound with eternal truth today. A simple, yet profound statement that our capacity to live life well is grounded in what we believe. Or perhaps a better way of saying it is ‘in Who we believe.’

King Ahaz was having a bad year. King Rezin of Aram had allied himself with Pekah, the son of the king of Israel, and they were marching on Jerusalem (Isa. 7:1). Not good news! It was bad enough that Judah was being attacked by Aram, but for them to be attacked by Israel – this must have been like friendly fire!

In the midst of this threat, God assures Ahaz: “It will not take place, it will not happen” (Isa. 7:7). There follows God’s judgement on those attacking Ahaz, and His comment of “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” almost seems like the natural and expected consequence of turning away from God. This is exactly what Israel had done. The warning remains clear even today – there are consequences for us if we turn from Him.

And yet the inverse holds true as well. When we do stand firm in our faith, God does bring us through. No matter what comes our way, when we put our hope and trust in Him – we simply will not fall. I’m reminded of Jesus’ promise: “In this world you will have trouble, but fear not I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). David puts it this way “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall”(Psa. 55:22). I like that.

I don’t know about you, but my observation is that I experience and know God more in times of trouble than when things are going well. C.S. Lewis calls suffering ‘God’s megaphone’ – His way of getting our attention. And it is often true that when we are in need that ‘God help!’ prayer, is never far from our lips! I think that’s the way God wants it – for it’s then that He gets to demonstrate His love and faithfulness; it’s then that we get to realise just how much we need Him, and it’s then that we experience His hand, His Word, His provision, His grace in the midst of all that assails us – and this takes us back to praise, to adoration, to desire.

And while the storm rages there comes this incredible knowledge that Almighty God is for you (Rom. 8:35-39). Far from causing me to turn away from God in the storm, such knowledge causes me to run to Him. Desperate in my weakness, lost in my own inability to manage life the way I want it – I come again to the cross and find that the river of grace still flows. And there I encounter an amazing freedom and joy, even when things are ‘pants.’ Paul put it this way: “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing … having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6:10).

Here is the simple truth – with Christ, we can always rejoice, with Him we are incredibly rich in what really matters – for though circumstances might try you, though friends might let you down – with Him there is a present comfort and strength and a future hope that is certain. After all, His business is redemption, restoration and reequipping us to live life in Him and for Him – and that is always good (Jer. 29:11).

Desire for Jesus should not simply be evident on the mountain top – it is developed, refined, honed and purified on the valley floor. It’s there too in the ‘valley of the shadow’ that we find Him. So if you’re there, run to the One who will never let the righteous fall; run to Him and get lost again in the wonder of the love, joy and peace that He brings; marvel as you consider that even in the storm – He remains our anchor, our sure foundation, our safe harbour. Don’t give the devil the satisfaction of wringing your hands in woe; but cast your cares on Christ, lift up your eyes – it’s from there that your help will come. And while you wait, rejoice; for even though it tarries, it will come. And when it comes, rejoice and then watch yourself stand.