20 December 2019 - O Key of David

Today's Readings

(Audio)

The LORD spoke to Ahaz:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;

We must ask when the LORD tells us to ask. Our lack of faith makes us afraid to trust God and step out in faith even when he asks us to do so.




But Ahaz answered,
"I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary men,
must you also weary my God?

When the LORD tells us to ask it is different than the sort of asking that is condemned as putting the LORD to the test. In this case, because the initiative begins with him and not with us, it is putting the LORD to the test when we don't ask. To not ask is disobedience. This is true even though asking for a sign on based on our own bad motives really is putting the LORD to the test. Not only that, we won't even be able to tell, most likely, based on the content of the sign asked for, as to whether it is right or wrong to ask. It is rather whether or not it begins with the LORD saying, "Ask for a sign". And if so, we must listen.

And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

We must listen even when the context becomes elevated to the degree that we become afraid. We must not shut down at the initial event that catches us by surprise. When we encounter God's presence in a new and unexpected way, doing a something different from our experience of him, we must continue to listen with faith.

Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.

If we continue in listening and faith even our questions are sanctified and shielded from doubt.

But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"

Our questions are changed from implicitly saying, 'This is impossible. Change my mind' to a more sincere 'I don't know how this can be, please help me understand.' The LORD doesn't always expect us to simply charge ahead blindly. He equips us for what is coming by the signs he gives. 

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.

We can receive these signs when we listen in faith. If we do we will be ready to respond as Mary did.

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."

O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!