Day 82 – Do Not Fear What They Fear
Isaiah 8:11-14a For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary;”
Story: In chapter 7, King Ahaz and Judah were fearful of King Reza of Syra and King Peka of Israel. But a chapter later, they rejoice in them (8:6). Instead of trusting in the LORD, Ahaz and the people chose to trust their ability to negotiate. But that will not work, because the LORD is sending Assyria (8:7). With all of this political and social turmoil, God speaks powerfully to Isaiah, calling him to be different. What causes the people to fear and tremble is not what should cause him. The LORD of hosts – the LORD who rules over all peoples and nations – He is the one to fear; He is the one to cause Isaiah to tremble. And when the worst of it comes – whether from Judah, Syria, Israel, and/or Assyria – the LORD who rules over all will be his sanctuary.
My Prayer Response: Father, You are to be my constant. We’ve already been through a lot of upheaval since 2020. But even if more does come, You call Your people to be different. Not just in appearance or words, but in fearing You. So no matter what happens, what changes, what breaks down, You are to be my focus. And trusting You to be my sanctuary. I love that truth – You are my sanctuary!
May the LORD be your sanctuary today!
Day 83 – Do Not Fear When Disciplined
Isaiah 10:24 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts, “O My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, the way Egypt did.
Story: God gave Israel the opportunity to trust in the LORD; but instead, they trusted in Assyria. So, the Lord God of hosts – the God who rules over all nations – will use Assyria to teach Israel to trust in the LORD alone (v. 20). Assyria will invade and will take many captive. Yet, God promises a remnant will return (v. 21-22) and Assyria will not escape God’s judgment and anger (v. 25-26). Thus, Israel is not to fear even though Assyria will have triumphs. Because God is still ultimately in control, and He cares for His people as He disciplines His people.
My Prayer Response: Father, You love Your people, and so You discipline us. Even though there is pain, You do this so that we trust in You. Forgive me for playing loose and fast with my sin, thinking it’s hidden from You or no big deal to You. Jesus died so that I would be Yours, holy and blameless. Even in the discipline, You love us, You are for us, and You work all things for good!
May you trust in the LORD God of hosts today!
Day 84 – The Perfect King
Isaiah 11:2-3 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear;
Story: What a description of Israel’s future king, Jesus! He will have God’s Spirit resting on Him, empowering Him like David. But He will be greater than David, having wisdom and understanding to always know the right choices to make. Strength comes with His counsel so that He will act and execute the best decisions. Finally, this future king will know and fear the LORD to be obedient to God’s authority and ways. With all of these positive qualities, the one action singled out for this future king of Israel is His judgments (v. 3b-5). Key for these judgments is a delight in fearing the LORD, rather than attempting to make popular and people-pleasing judgments.
My Prayer Response: Father, o how I love Jesus! He is so good and praiseworthy! One day, He will reign this way as Israel’s future king. Thank You for saving me, and committing to make me more like this Jesus – including a delight in the fear of the LORD!
May you delight in the fear of the LORD today!
Day 85 – God Is My Salvation
Isaiah 12:1-2 Then you will say on that day, “I will give thanks to You, O Lord; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”
Story: What a picture of our salvation in Jesus Christ! True, as Isaiah writes this, the focus is on Israel’s coming discipline through Assyria, but then follows victory, return, and the perfect King. However bad things may get for Israel, they can look ahead and know that God is their salvation, strength and song. At one point, I too was under God’s anger because of my own sin against Him. I thought I didn’t need Him, and could do enough good actions to get into heaven. But at the moment that I believed in Jesus Christ, His anger is turned away, and He comforts me. He is my salvation! He is my strength and my song. Therefore, I will trust Him and not be afraid. However bad things may get for me, I can look back, I can look up, and I can look ahead and know that God still is my salvation, my strength, my song!
My Prayer Response: Father, how good is Your salvation. How it frees us from Your anger; how it assures us of Your constant love and grace. You never promised me an easy or problem-free life as Your child. You promised me Your presence, Your faithfulness. So, when I am afraid, remind me of my salvation and strength; let my heart sing this song of my salvation in Jesus Christ!
May the LORD be your strength and song today!
Day 86 – Terrified at the voice of the LORD
Isaiah 30:31 For at the voice of the Lord Assyria will be terrified, When He strikes with the rod.
Story: I sometimes speak to my kids with authority, telling them what needs to be done. Rarely do I see them terrified. I preach most Sundays, seeking to proclaim the Word of our God. Rarely do I see anyone terrified; most have no facial expression at all. But the mighty, conquering nation of Assyria is terrified – shattered like glass – at the voice of the LORD. How powerful is the Word of our God!
My Prayer Response: Father, help us to listen to Your Word. It may be a quiet whisper, but Your Word always has Your authority. And You reign over all; You are the Almighty God! Thank You that in Christ, Your Word is not striking me with judgment, but with loving discipline. Let us hear and obey Your Word!
May you hear and obey God’s Word today!