Isaiah’s word of encouragement and strong warning from the Lord is for us today. He prophesied to King Ahaz of Judah that the imminent invasion of the Northern Kingdom and Syria into Judah would not succeed. Ahaz needed to guard his heart from discouragement and panic. If he did not believe God and stand firm on His word, he would not be able to stand at all. But Ahaz refused to trust in God out of fear and unbelief (see Isaiah 7:7-14). 

Isaiah continued, “…God is with us. The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said: “Don’t call everything a conspiracy like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe” (Isaiah 8:10-14). 

God fulfilled His word and delivered Judah approximately thirteen years later. Ahaz, however, did not finish well. Like Ahaz, if we don’t put our hope in God, He will warn us of danger anyway. He is our sanctuary. He is the divine Rock across the road—a roadblock to protect us from imminent disaster. If we refuse the warning, He will be a rock of offense we trip over, stumble, and fall.

May we listen to God’s unshakeable, unchanging word. We can’t put our trust in popular opinions. Our safety will not be found by aligning with the crowd or by listening to public uproar. We can’t take part in a fearful society. 

When we are afraid of threats and act like those around us—fearing what they fear—and when we are troubled,

we can say what Isaiah said: I will wait for God. I will place my hope in Him. May we be a sign and wonder to the world around us because of our awe and reverence of Him. May we finish well because we truly know He is Immanuel—God With Us—The One Who Became One with Us. (see vs 10, 14-18).