Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:12b-13)
How often do we let ourselves be intimidated and frightened by what is going on in our life or in the world. It happens that one is downright blind with fear and can no longer see a way out. The focus is on what makes everyday life difficult for us. Degree in the current situation, in which Covid apparently everything predominates, there is disorder, fear, intolerance, stress. And in this situation God speaks in and says: "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." This verse fundamentally changes the way I view what I should fear:
Everything that is in this world will perish. But God stays forever: "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (Isaiah 9:7)
Ultimately, everyone has to answer to him and give an account of his life. God will judge every single soul. The only thing that makes us stand before him is the blood of his Son Jesus Christ. Nothing that we have achieved in this world - neither reputation, fortune, recognition, etc. - makes us stand before him righteously. Sobering.
We would do well to practice more fear of God again. It is not about a state of horror but about recognizing that God is above absolutely everything. This fear of God leads us to bow to him, to submit to him and to recognize him as the holy and almighty God. He persistently and confidently pursues his goal of taking over the rule of the world. And in the end no one can get past him.
God wants us to spend eternity by his side. That is why he gave his only son. However, the decision is up to us. And this eternity does not only begin when we stand before it, but already today. My life should not be shaped by what determines the world. I want my focus to be on Jesus Christ, who says: “Do not be afraid, you little flock! For it pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.”(Luke 12:32). So I would like - with God's help - not to be afraid of what those who do not know him are afraid of. Rather, I want to practice fear of God and be aware that only that which comes out of God's hands has eternal value. And that is what it is about.