Second Saturday of Advent

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 8:1-15

Key Verse(s): But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. ~Isaiah 8:13

Chapter eight begins with another dreary note, Isaiah once again warning the people of coming punishment, this time at the hand of the Assyrians. God’s people have rebelled; they have brought ruin upon themselves. After giving this gloomy message, Isaiah shared something with Israel that pertains to us as well, especially when we find ourselves surrounded by worry and panic and fear. Isaiah says that God warned him not to get caught up on the conspiracies and fears of the people around him. Instead, he is told to focus on God, to fear God and not worry or be anxious about the worries around him (Isa 8:11-13). This is reminiscent of Jesus’ words to “not be anxious about your life…but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Mt. 6:25,33). God said to Isaiah that for those who focus on him he will be “a sanctuary” but to others he will be “a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling” (Isa 8:14). This again points us to Jesus, who is salvation for those who turn to him but a stumbling block to those who refuse to see him as he is (1 Pet 2:4-8). We live in a world that is moving further and further away from God. Nations and people groups are turning their backs on the Sovereign Lord. Many are worried and becoming panicked. Anxiety and fear are easy responses. We must be people whose hope remains fixed on the Lord, he is our rock and our salvation (Psa 62:2).

Loving God, there is panic and fear all around me and I often become anxious and fearful myself. Show me the areas in my life that I still need to repent of, and help me to fix my hope on you. I want to honor you as Lord and King over the entire universe and not be carried away by the cares of the world. I trust in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For Further Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 Luke 22:31-38 Psalm 30