Today’s Reading: Isaiah 8; Isaiah 9; Isaiah 10; Hebrews 8
Scripture: Isaiah 8:11-14
11 The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:
12 "Do not call conspiracy
everything that these people call conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,
14 and he will be a sanctuary...
Observation: Isaiah lived in tumultuous times. The nation of Israel was under constant attack from without and within. Wars, insurrections, rebellions, and military coups were commonplace. There was great cause for fear as social instability was rampant. Rumors swept through the populace, inciting terror among the people. In the midst of this uncertainty, God speaks to Isaiah. God tells him to not be caught up in the fever of fear that has engulfed the nation. He is to stay away from the conspiracy theories and fear mongering going on all around him. He is to demonstrate that God is the only One that must be feared and reckoned with, especially in times of great distress. When we give Him the proper place in our lives -- understanding Him to be holy, and the only thing we need to fear and dread, "He will be a sanctuary," a place of refuge and peace, to us.
Application: No matter what troubles surround or come against us, ultimately God is the only One with whom we have to deal. If we truly understand God for Who He is -- all knowing, all powerful, good and loving -- then we will know that He alone has power over all our difficulties. He truly is the only One we need to hang on to. He will be there for us when everything else fails.
Bottom line: In good times and bad, an intimate relationship with God is the surest security and provision we can have. So keep Your eyes of Jesus and make your relationship with Him your highest priority.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are always there -- in good times and bad. I know that You are always trustworthy and mighty to save. Lord, I pray for all those whom You have placed in my care, that they would draw closer and closer to You, being strengthened in their innermost being, to build the kind of intimate and passionate relationships that will see them through every trial and difficulty. I know that You will always be there -- may we cling to You with all that is within us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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