Note: This is part of a manuscript I will use to deliver God’s Word today… If He so wills. There are devices I use in delivery like contractions so I ask for indulgence in these areas.
I Will Not Be Afraid (Isaiah 6:1-8)
It doesn’t take much for a person to become anxious given all that is going on around us. If we’re not careful, we could fall prey to fear mongering. Consider…
The financial crisis to the tune of a Gov’t bailout of $700 Bil. Naval military maneuvers between Russia & Venezuela in the Caribbean. Worldwide terror threats. The presidential election in Nov. Then add to that our own concerns about family, job, bills, health, children, and life in general…
What we fear defines who we are & who our God is. If our ultimate fear is $ collapse… $ is our god. If our ultimate fear is loss of national security… might is our god. If our ultimate fear is…
My goal is for us to think Biblically. My goal is for us to reboot our mind, heart, soul, & spirit to Scripture rather than succumb the enemy’s darts. The way we overcome is by believing God. We go to Scripture & believe HIS TRUTH. So let’s do that for a while…
Trouble is nothing new. Adversity has always been part of life. People before us have had it rough & dealt w/ hardship. The issue is what God tells us, not what happens TO us…
In ancient times the death of a king was much more a national tragedy than today. It meant other nations might invade to plunder their wealth… kill many… & make others slaves. So when Isaiah writes about King Uzziah’s death, it was a time of national unrest, anxiety, & insecurity.
In the midst of turmoil, Isaiah has a vision of God. He is overwhelmed by the ultimate reality of who God is. In the midst of cosmic chaos, God is still on His throne. In the midst of earthly anarchy, God is still worshipped in heaven. Nothing on earth affects what is most important… which is worship of The Most Holy God. God is unaffected by anything that happens on earth.
Regardless of what happens, God is still God. He is still sovereign. He is still on His throne. Nothing, anywhere, anytime can or will ever change that. And what happened when Isaiah realized that?
The events taking place around him vanished from His mind. He saw who he was in light of who God is. He saw his sinfulness in comparison to God’s holiness… & it tore him apart emotionally & spiritually. But also gave him strength to follow God’s call…
Application! When we are unsure… when troubles surround us… when we’re anxious, it is right to go to God’s throne & confess our sin. Then participate w/ angels in worship of God. This fulfills Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
After Isaiah encountered God, He received God’s call. It is by worshipping God that He gives His direction for life. Clarity in troubled times is found by looking to God, not government… McCain, Obama, or Bush… but God! Only in Jehovah God are we safe…
In Scripture we’re to seek God. Consider Heb 4:16, “Let us then w/ confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy & find grace to help in time of need.” Mt 6:33, “Seek 1st the kingdom of God & his righteousness, & all these things will be added to you.”
Forget Obama… McCain… Democrats… Republicans… military might… gov’t bail-outs… & every other human institution. None of them have the answer. None of them provide security. None of them can help when life crashes. They are all in God’s hands to do w/ as He wills (Dan 4:35)!
God raises up, & God brings low. God gives life & takes it away. God establishes nations & God brings an end to nations. The heart of every king, president, prime minister, senator, congressman, governor, mayor, & county commissioner is in God’s hand to do w/ as He wills (Prov 21:1). God is king. God is Lord. God is sovereign. God is God & every man is a liar.
In God alone is hope. In God alone is peace. In God alone is security. In God alone is joy. In God alone is contentment. In God alone is victory. The Lord… The Lord God… HE alone is God.
The sooner those truths are buried into our soul, the sooner we will u’stand what is meant in Scripture where it is written… (Comment while reading)
Jn 14:27 Peace I leave w/ you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Jn 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Is 41:10 Fear not, for I am w/ you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you w/ my righteous right hand. 13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Ps 46:1 God is our refuge & strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar & foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Ps 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail & the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold & there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.
2 Tim 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind.
Important application point! Use Scripture to battle for joy… strength… truth!
If/when we fear, we have taken our minds off of Christ & begun to look around us. We are dominated by circumstances rather than God. What we must do is put our mind back where it needs to be… On The Lord!
There may be uncertain times… but there is no uncertainty w/ God. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds it in His hand.
The OT prophets told the people in their day what to do when trouble hit. They called the people to repentance… to confess their sin… to walk in righteousness before God. And that is the call today!
Do you have the peace that comes from Christ? If not, come to Him today…