Words of Encouragement Scripture: Isaiah 8:11-15 11. For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, 12. 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. 13. It is the Lord of hosts Whom you should regard as holy, and He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. 14. Then He shall become a sanctuary; but to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15. Many will stumble over them, then they will fall and be broken; they will even be snared and caught. Look closely at verses 12 and 13. From Our Daily Homily by F.B. Meyer The land was panic-stricken for fear of the coalition of Samaria and Damascus. The politicians were seeking the alliance of Assyria, while the superstitious had recourse to familiar spirits and wizards. Amid the panic the voice of Isaiah is heard bidding the people fear with only one kind of fear. Not their fear, but the fear of God; not their dread, but His. The apostle Peter quotes these words when he says, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence, (I Peter 3:15). On the prairies men often fight fire with fire. Against the advance of the wall of flame there is but one resource; before it reaches the terrified fugitives thy must light a fire to sweep the ground bare, that when the advancing horror reaches the spot there will be no fuel left for it to feed on. So with the heart of man, the only true preservation from fear of our fellows is an overmastering fear of our God. Sanctify Him in your hearts. Let Him be your fear and dread. It is remarkable that Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. And this appears to have quieted his heart in the presence of Laban. When the fear of God is strong, the thought of grieving Him, or incurring His just wrath and indignation, is most cogent in warning us from sin! This delivers us from all other fear. One of the greatest sentences a man can utter when tempted to sin or threatened with suffering for the uprightness of his life or the correctness of his creed, is to say simply, quietly, and strongly: I fear God, and have no other fear. Fear Him: so shall you be established; so shall you prosper. So, be encouraged, my friend! P.S. Here is a hymn mix celebrating the Church and the fellowship we have with other believers: The Family of God by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Enjoy! And Happy New Year to you all! https://youtube/watch?v=xlT6KoT73O0&list=RDxlT6KoT73O0#t=0
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:29:45 +0000
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