The Lord is With us

The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.  -Isaiah 8:11, 12

I wonder sometimes if these days it is even possible to turn on the news and not hear about war, tragedy, crises, or some global catastrophe?  The people of Isaiah the prophet’s day didn’t have TV or mass forms of communication, but they may have wondered something similar, for they too heard disturbing accounts of the possibility of invasion and war.  So we see that the fear of war and catastrophe isn’t anything new, but has been around for a long time.  Jesus reminded us that in last days we will hear of wars and rumors of war (Matthew 24:6).  If we aren’t keeping our focus on the Lord we could become so worried about these situations that we could be robbed of all peace and joy in our lives.

God’s challenge in Isaiah 8 was not to fear what the people feared, for they lacked faith and a right relationship with the Lord.  If their hearts were right with God they would not be so afraid and in such a panic.  This passage is relevant for us today because we too can hold fast to the promise of God that if we look to Him in faith we too will see the Lord’s hand working in our lives.  The people were not to trust in themselves, their own power, or the possibility of help from some other source.  They were to look to the Lord and trust Him completely. 

The Israelites of Isaiah’s day remind me of the man who was lost in the woods one night after dark, and he stumbled off a cliff, but managed to cling to a branch that stuck out of the side of the cliff.  In desperation he began to shout for help: “Is anyone up there?” he shouted.  Finally, a still, small voice answered.  “I am the Lord,” the voice said, “Do you truly want my help?”  “Yes Lord!”  The man said.  “Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”  The Lord then replied, “Let go of the branch you are holding onto.”  There was a period of silence.  The man then replied, “Is there anyone else up there?”  

We are like that sometimes, are we not?  We ask for the Lord’s help and we promise that we will obey Him no matter what.  But when He tells us what to do we are fearful and unwilling to do what He has said.  Failure to trust the Lord will get us nowhere.  However, trusting the Lord will work wonders in our lives. 

So, what are you trusting in today?  Look to the Lord Jesus Christ, for He will not let us down or lead us the wrong way. 

The Lord is with us –  always.