There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy ; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. [Isaiah 8:12-14]
So what makes you afraid? And whatever it is, is it truly worth fearing?
God is encouraging Isaiah to keep His God-confidence, no matter what happens.
When everyone is upset because the world is falling apart, don’t get worked up like everyone else.
Why, because you know that God is still God, and He is in charge of everything, and will ultimately work all things out to their good and proper end.
In the meantime, Isaiah and those with him are to show people what God-confidence in the middle of the storm looks like – Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion. [Isaiah 8:18]
When everyone else is panicking, and looking for help from everything and everyone from God [Isaiah 8:19], they will model quiet confidence in God and His good purpose.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. [Luke 12:4-5]
Jesus urges His followers to similarly live and act as if God is the One to fear, to respect and to trust.
While everyone else is afraid of the things that can harm the body but not the soul, Jesus’ followers entrust themselves to the One who holds their whole being, body and soul, in life and in death!
To fear Him is not to cower in fear but to submit in respect, to recognize Him as the ultimate One.

Look at how people go through life – worrying about trivial things while ignoring things that matter.
And when crisis hits, they go into a tailspin; they only make things worse by how they react.
I am reminded of the time when Paul was on a ship in the middle of a terrible storm; while everyone else was panicking and despairing, he stands out as a symbol of God-confidence and encourages the others:
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food–you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. [Acts 27:33-36]
This is how Isaiah was to be a sign and symbol for the people of his day – a model of God-confidence in an otherwise frightening world.
Not afraid of or panicking because of what is going on around us because we fear and respect and trust the God that is ruling over us.

What do people see in me?
Do they see quiet confidence in the midst of the storm, courage in the face of hardship, hope in the context of despair?
Do people around me get the message that trusting in God gives me hope, courage, peace, no matter what?

PRAYER:
Lord, sometimes I am just as frightened and panicky as those around me. This should not be. My life is in Your hands, Your purpose for me will not fail. Nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me to live like this!