Holy fear.

Isaiah 8:11-14, The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.

These were indeed fearful times for the nation, one of the most powerful empires in the world was arrayed against them, it was just a matter of time. Even though this enemy was truly fearsome, they were encouraged to recognize that the Lord was the One to be feared! We are the beneficiaries of this prophecy, for indeed as the houses of Israel stumbled over the rock of Christ, we in the rest of the world are brought into fellowship and blessed. Let us not fear what others fear, but only the name of the Lord.

We thank You for godly fear that is not misplaced, but brings us to recognize the place You have for us as Your stewards in this world. Help us to be faithful with all that You have given us.