20 In the year that the [a]commander came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him and he fought against Ashdod and captured it, 2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet.” And he did so, going naked and barefoot. 3 And the Lord said, “Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a [b]sign and token against Egypt and [c]Cush, 4 so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the [d]shame of Egypt. 5 Then they will be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast. 6 So the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, ‘Behold, such is our hope, where we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria; and we, how shall we escape?’”
Well, that’s just gross… Yet Isaiah was obedient, and the message of God was delivered. I think perhaps this message was more for Israel and “the inhabitants of this coastland” than for Egypt and Cush. God had already decreed their downfall, but it seemed that some were still hanging on to hope that one of these allies would save Israel from Assyria.
Instead of trusting in God, they still looked to foreign powers. Hopefully God never asks you to go naked for three years, or you’d likely end up in jail. Yet maybe He has asked you to do something that you also think is crazy. One of our pastors was recently asked by God to give up a comfortable housing situation. I’m sure there were all kinds of reasons that wasn’t a great idea, but he did it anyway and God is providing for them.
God often asks us to do things outside of our comfort zone. Or maybe “always” would be more accurate. Staying comfortable is the “American dream” for many, but it isn’t God’s dream for us. Comfortable is not far off from stagnant, and that’s a whole different kind of gross, and certainly not what God has called anyone to be.
Whatever God has asked, take the step of faith and make it happen. Better yet, take the step of faith and watch God make it happen. As Paul wrote, God is faithful to complete the good work that He has begun in you. He won’t leave you halfway through the river, but will stick with you through it all, and cause you to grow in ways you never thought possible. Put your trust in God alone, and hold on to Him no matter what comes your way.