Bible reading: Isaiah 8:11-13 “The Lord took hold of me with his powerful hand and said:
I’m warning you! Don’t act like these people. Don’t call something a rebellious plot, just because they do, and don’t be afraid of something, just because they are. I am the one you should fear and respect. I am the holy God, the Lord All-Powerful!”
In modern times, Christians and unbelievers are almost indistinguishable from one another, especially in the area of fear and anxiety. It was pretty evident during the COVID pandemic, which I am sadly guilty of. Many of us had more fear of the disease than of God. Similarly, many Christians walk around in fear of various things, such as people’s judgements, a lack of provision or becoming a victim to all the evil that is going on in the world today. To many, these fears may not seem like a big deal, and they accept them as something to live with and tolerate. But I am here to tell you that fear is a great OFFENCE against God and comes with terrible consequences.
To buttress this point, let’s look at an example from Isaiah, chapters 7 and 8. To summarise, in those days, there were three kingdoms: the kingdom of Syria, Israel and Judah. At that time, the King of Damascus and Israel waged war against Jerusalem (in the kingdom of Judah) but could not conquer it. However, this made the king of Judah, Ahaz and his people (who are no strangers to God’s works) tremble in fear. God saw this and sent Prophet Isaiah to warn Ahaz to calm down and not to be afraid or cowardly (see Chapter 7, verse 4). He told King Ahaz that though the kingdom of Israel and Syria may plot evil against him, he should not be afraid, for they will not succeed.
Despite this, rather than trusting God, he sought help from the Assyrians and even went as far as to tell the Assyrian king that he was his servant and son! (See 2 Kings 16:7-9). Due to King Ahaz’s lack of trust in God (through his fear-driven actions), Judah faced severe consequences (see Isaiah 7:17-25 and 2 Kings 16). Now, by the world’s standards, the fear of King Ahaz was justified as both the kingdoms of Syria and Israel were great. However, Ahaz’s wasn’t called to live according to the world’s standards but to God’s. Sound familiar? See John 15:19. His greatest mistake was to exalt his fear of these two kingdoms above God. Rather than trust in God’s divine help, he put his trust in man (Jeremiah 17:5).
Many of us claim we trust and fear God. But when confronted with our fears, we exalt them above God, seeking man-made solutions instead of going to God directly. And we wonder why, as a Christian body, we struggle to see the power of God in our daily lives. Let’s take COVID as an example once again. What does God say to us concerning deadly diseases? He says, no plague will come near those who trust Him (psalm 91:9-10). Like Ahaz, God promises protection to those who trust Him and do not fear. However, this trust isn’t just something we declare verbally but should also demonstrate in our actions.
Were our actions based on fear or faith in God during the pandemic? Did we trust God to keep us safe as He promised, or did we place our trust in man-made solutions? Did we continue to love others as God commanded, or did our love grow cold in a bid to save ourselves? These are confronting and challenging questions but necessary to reflect on if we want to live the lives God intended for us.
To close, let’s look at God’s promise to those who trust him.
Isaiah 8:11-17(TPT):
Yahweh’s mighty hand rested on me, and he gave me a strong warning not to act like these people.
“Don’t believe their every conspiracy rumour. And don’t fear what they fear—don’t be moved or terrified.
Fear nothing and no one except Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies! Honour him as holy. Be in awe before him with deepest reverence!
He will become for you a holy sanctuary, but for them, a stone people trip over. He is a rock that causes the two houses of Israel to stumble—a trap and a snare for the people of Jerusalem.
Many will stumble and fall and be broken. Yes, they will be snared and taken away captive.”
Now, tie up the scroll and preserve it as legal evidence. Seal my instructions for the future for my disciples.
I will wait for the Lord Yahweh, who hides his face from the family of Jacob. And I will place all my hope in him!
I leave you with these words from Isaiah 7:9.
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not be able to stand at all!”
For more on fear and anxiety click here.
