DAILY MANNA MONDAY 16TH MARCH, 2020 – WHO TO FEAR

DAILY MANNA

MONDAY 16TH MARCH, 2020

        WHO TO FEAR

TEXT:ISAIAH 8:9-22

KEY VERSE:”Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (ISAIAH 8:13).

 A citizen's fearful negative outlook in times of a national crisis affecting everyone does not change the unpleasant circumstances. No matter how much he frets, he would not be able to improve the situation. Nothing would change by his needless distractions, worry and anxiety. His moody condition would lead him into more straits because of needless panic and misdirected fear. He would need a greater power outside him and outside those circumstances to assure him and ease his agitated spirit.

 When the Lord revealed to Isaiah that there was going to be a tumultuous and critical period in the Palestine region occasioned by an invasion of the Assyrian military forces, He went ahead to exhort the prophet not to panic like the majority of the children of Israel. They would cry 'treason' or 'conspiracy'. But, according to God, the march of the Assyrians through Judah, Israel and Syria was a divine judgment on those nations.

 Instead of engaging in a fruitless, helter-skelter dash for help, the prophet was to sanctify the Lord of hosts and let Him be their fear and dread. They were not to fear the enemy or be afraid of them. Having received this comforting charge, Isaiah proclaimed that he and the children the Lord had given him would not only rest on the signs and wonders of God, but also reflect these great attributes of their Maker.

 Those who have faith in God must not panic in troublous times. Indeed, the real test of our trust in Christ's promises comes into play during stormy days in our lives or ministry. We are admonished not to succumb to the fear of men which will lead to compromise of our salvation. But we are to muster courage as did the early apostles.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith deals the death blow to fear.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 29-30