The Lord spoke with Isaiah about many things. I love today’s scripture passage. Perhaps’ you will to. It speaks to God’s people way before our time, but we see very similar things happening in the world now, in our day. It was written to God’s people. They feared everyone but God. Yet there were still a remnant of the faithful. In God’s words, “you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts.”
Isaiah was encouraging the faithful to not be afraid of those who ridiculed or scorned them because of their faith. God’s word lives through age after age. So here we are. We see what is happening. We may even have met some form of scorn or insult on our own journey.
Merriam-Webster defines scorn as open dislike and disrespect or derision, often mixed with indignation; an object of extreme disdain, contempt or derision: something contemptible. Okay, we have an understanding of scorn. One of the antonyms for scorn…Favor.
It is the favor of God that will help the faithful to stay as such in the face of fear, insults and scorn.
God’s people had misplaced their fear. Fear of Babylon. Fear of everyone and everything but God. The One who could wipe them from the face of the earth with His breath, for their disobedient, wicked ways. It was less fearful to offend their God than others.
Thought For Today:
We let a number of things cause anxiety and fear. We often let people and situations make us fearful. Sometimes we are called to stand up and make decisions that are not well received. Fear comes. But the only thing we should fear is a mighty God.
If He is our confidant, the receiver of our daily prayers, then He goes before us and behind us. He opened the Red Sea. He can certainly clear the path before us. No matter what our burdens are, He has it covered. Trust and obedience. Faithfulness under fire. Daily prayer.
God has assured the faithful that His righteousness will last forever. Forever! His salvation will continue from generation to generation. Our part in this? The boldness to stand firm. The courage to proclaim. The resolve to spread the Good News. The discipline to pray. The willingness to do the hard things. The things that the enemy puts before us, to distract us and steal our peace.
Scripture For Today:
Isaiah 51:7-8
7 “Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults. 8 For the moth will devour them as it devours clothing. The worm will eat at them as it eats wool. But my righteousness will last forever. My salvation will continue from generation to generation.” (NLT)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! The faithful, generations of the faithful, have dealt with insult and scorn. Jesus faced horrific scorn and insults and was victorious. Father, we pray for the courage to stand, faithful and obedient. Father, we ask Your blessing on those who are burdened this morning. We pray for release for them. We pray You send Your minister angels to surround them and Your divine intervention end their trial. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.