Isaiah 8

“The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:13, NKJV)

Sometimes the believer must stand alone. God says one thing, but the counsel of the world says something completely different. At such times our faith is tested. Will we trust in the LORD with all our heart or will we follow the crowd?

King Ahaz and all Jerusalem were looking to the king of Assyria to protect them from the invasions of the king of Syria and the king of Israel. They had rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah (a metaphor for the LORD) and had rejoiced in the king of Assyria conquering Damascus and Samaria. But the mighty Euphrates River (Assyria) would soon flood its banks and fill Judah chin-deep in water! Only those who trusted in the LORD and feared Him would be kept safe.

Therefore, Isaiah determined:

“I will wait for the LORD, who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my hope in him.” (Isaiah 8:17, NLT)

In their desperation, the people of Judah would seek mediums and those who consult with the dead. But Isaiah would rely on the Word of God to be his guiding light through the dark times.

How relevant this is today when the world disregards the revelation of God to pursue its own ends! This inevitably leads to darkness and doom. But those who trust in the LORD and hold fast to His words will be kept safe and will walk in the light.