Fear God, Not People
God instructed Isaiah to name his son Mahershalalhashbaz as a prophecy and the title of the book he was to write. God wanted it plainly written so everyone could understand it. He did as God told him, and when his son was born to his wife, he called her a prophetess and named his son Mahershalalhashbaz, meaning "things will happen quickly." Part of the prophecy said they would be taken by Assyria quickly, before Mahershalalhashbaz could say "mom and dad," before he was one or two.
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. Isaiah 8:4
Here is what is important for us to understand: God told Isaiah not to walk in the ways of the people and not to let fear grip him. Just as God tells us not to fear the enemy, in this passage of scripture, He instructs Isaiah to praise, worship, and honor God as a way to overcome our fear and to fear God rather than the enemy.
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Isaiah 8:13-15
The world is shaky right now, but rather than wringing our hands and worrying about what is happening, lift your face toward heaven, raise your hands, reach up to God, and submit your life to Him, because you are not the object of his recompense; it is the enemy that should fear, not you.
No comments:
Post a Comment