Isaiah 8:12-13 “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”
Fear can be either debilitating or motivating. As our example this morning, Judah had to decide if they would depend upon God or upon a pagan army to protect them. God’s instruction to them is, “Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid . . . let him [the LORD of hosts] be your fear, and let him be your dread.” They could fear their enemies and trust a pagan army; or they could trust and fear the General of the Heavenly Army-the Lord of Hosts. They were to replace one fear with another fear.
Perhaps we can see this a little clearer when it comes to children. Sometimes as a father, my kids need a little motivation, which is not a bad thing. They might have fear about trying something new or doing something unfamiliar, but often what they need is a reminder to “get going.” Fear of that “thing” cannot compare to fear of their dad! I do not relish or thrive on my kids fearing me (as in cowering in fear and being afraid); but fear is not always a bad thing if it helps accomplish what is right.
Two indicators of who you fear are: 1) Who you ask; and 2) Who you listen to. The temptation for Judah was to ask “familiar spirits” and “wizards that peep and that mutter.” But as the Bible says, “should not a people seek unto their God?” (verse 19) Who you ask indicates who you fear. If you are not asking God, you are asking the wrong person.
Who you listen to also indicates who you fear. In verse 20, it is the “law” and “testimony” that demand our ear; anything else means “there is no light in them.” Get to the law-God’s Word-to find answers for today’s troubles, questions, and needs.
If you fear God, you need not fear anything else. Remember this morning that fear is not a bad thing unless it pushes you in the wrong direction. As a father, I want my kids to fear me now because I want them to live courageously. Fearing their father (in a right sense) will prepare my kids for this world.
The same is true for you and me. Fearing our Heavenly Father will help us live courageously in this world. He deserves both our fear and our trust. Who are you asking? Who are you listening to? Your answers just may point to whom you are fearing.
Prayer Requests:
1. Revival service tonight in Flagstaff, AZ
2. Ranch evangelists preaching this weekend in Miami, AZ and Merrimack, NH