I was unfamiliar with the Old Testament lesson for today, so I re-read it more carefully to find the parallels in our times.  It seems that at a time of great geopolitical significance, Ahaz was in trouble politically and his faith was shaken.  In fact, he was quite frightened by his enemies.   Yet, God remained faithful to his people despite the faintheartedness of their leader, Ahaz.  Through Isaiah, God is telling Ahaz and us that we need to stand firm in our faith in the presence of danger and call upon God.  If not, quite frankly, we place ourselves in even greater danger.  That is not easy to do, but there is always an answer.  This story is recorded to give us some encouragement.

What amazes me about this story is that Isaiah tells us that God will step in and rescue us even in our weakness, but we do well to recognize that it annoys God.  The point is, though, even when we wear down God’s patience, he doesn’t give up on us.  God keeps working with us.  Throughout history, God has worked through people who are strong in faith and people who are weak to accomplish God’s own saving plan for us.  Along the way, however, we are reminded, it is about God’s plan, not ours.  We will suffer our own failures in our own endeavors if they don’t align with God’s plan.  It is better for us when we identify with God’s plan for our salvation and declare the Lord’s truth and kindness than seek our own vain glory.

Like Mary, when we humbly declare ourselves to be a servant of the Lord, we participate in God’s saving grace.  By doing God’s will, we are consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ.  Nothing else we try, like our sacrifices and offerings, are an acceptable alternative to obediently showing up to do God’s will.  I pray today that I “show up” somewhere, somehow……today and everyday I will begin my day with “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”