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..."
Israel was surrounded by powerful neighbors and was under constant threat of attack, hence alliance with other strong nations was a common survival strategy for its kings. Yet here was God warning Isaiah not to follow that same pattern of thinking, worrying about who to make an ally to prevent defeat, or who was strongest and had the greatest armies. Israel was to fear the Lord of hosts because no other King or kingdom compares to Him.
We too as children of God in this generation are called to think differently, not as everyone else does. The bible says in Romans 12:2 that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that is the only way not to be conformed to this world. Our world is filled with such prevalent thoughts that are contrary to Gods way of thinking like "if it feels good, do it", “if everyone is doing it, do it,” or "what's in it for me”.
God's word today reminds us that our way of living above all this is by living according to His principles, being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Let us not allow ourselves to be swayed by the supposed norm that surrounds us. Rather, let us submit ourselves in all totality to God for He is a sanctuary to those who fear Him but a stumbling block and a rock of offence to those who reject Him [1Peter 2:6-8].
Prayer: My Loving Father, I thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides me and teaches me to apply your word in my everyday life. Thank You for the comfort of knowing that in You I cannot go wrong. Let Your word continually transform my life, with its wisdom. I totally surrender to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - Dec. 22 2010 - Psalms 99-100 (OT), Mark 7 (NT).
God’s Love and Mine…
