Isaiah 8:11-14 "For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, (12) Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. (13) Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (14) And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
The fear of the enemy had overcome the people. They were so afraid that they
did not want to ask a sign of God that His promise would be fulfilled. God told
them of the sign in spite of their fear. Fear can cause people to say and do
things that they would never do in any other case. The people were so fearful
that they planned to join forces with the enemy that would come in like a
raging river to completely destroy what the Lord had given. Fear was rampant at
that time and it is covering our land today. Each side seems to express
fear of the other rather than confidence. Isaiah was instructed, very strongly,
that he was not to be caught up in that fear. Do not get caught up in a
confederacy, or alliance, with the enemy. May I stop just now to remind
who the enemy truly is.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
(Ephesians 6:11-12)
How do we combat Satan's tactics? "Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and
let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." We must keep our
confidence in the Lord and as Isaiah said, "let Him" take care of
those who are seeking to destroy. We are to stand firm with the Lord as our
shield and our sanctuary, completely trusting Him as we do that which we are
directed. May the Lord be merciful to us is my prayer.