Tumultuous Times
Hope in the Lord in Tumultuous Times (Read Isaiah 8:11-17)
The prophet Isaiah received the calling to be a prophet to Judah and Jerusalem. In this passage, Judah is facing an invasion from Syria and Northern Israel (who tragically deserted God for idols). In these tumultuous times, God speaks a strong message into the prophets own life. v11 The LORD has given me a strong warning. Here are three steps to maintaining hope in the Lord during tumultuous times…
- Fear God the Most v12-14
v13 … He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.
a) Don’t worry about what everyone else is worried about v12 “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.
There are many things that could be of concern but don’t blindly follow the crowd. Don’t fear what people fear, especially when outside of your control. Worry causes harm and wrong decisions. Don’t to be like foolish whales jumping onto the beach.
b) Choose to focus on God v13 Make the LORD of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. By fearing God, we see things in a better light. Our God is “the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” He is the one you should really fear!!! Make this a deliberate choice – shake yourself out of complacency. Although Isaiah had an awesome vision of God (Isa.6), he was becoming influenced by the fears of people around him. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
c) Know the benefits v14 He will keep you safe…
Psalm 91:14 “Because he loves me… I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 23 Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil.
d) Know the cost of not fearing God the most v14 …But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.
For those who get trapped in being chronically suspicious, accusing others, always afraid– be careful.1 Peter 2:8 …They stumble because they disobey the message… Romans 9:32 …they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works…The fear the Lord leads to the Gospel of faith message. v15 Many will stumble and fall, never to rise again. They will be snared and captured. Judah and Jerusalem failed, but god had a plan to bring about inner change with the Gospel. If you feel captured today, hang on in faith, choose to fear God the most – we’ll pray your release!
- Preserve teaching about God v16
v16 Preserve the teaching of God; entrust his instructions to those who follow me.
Keep the teaching of the Bible the foundation of your life and teach others to do the same. Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- Wait in hope for the Lord v17
v17 I will wait for the LORD, who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my hope in him. Waiting means not rushing in to take other actions that may harm you. Hope means expecting and knowing God will soon intervene.
We may live in tumultuous times. However, praise God, in Jesus we have a sure foundation, a hope for the future, and a present help in time of need.