“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.” . . . “And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:12, 19, ESV)
How often do we allow the public sentiment to sway our opinions and actions on things? How do we look at the issues influencing our society? Do the philosophical views of a culture guide us or does the word of the living God? We must ask these questions of ourselves with full integrity and openness for the child of God is to live on a different plane than the society around us.
Isaiah lived among a people who had departed from seeking the right understanding, the right way. They had arrived at conclusions about things based upon human intuition and concepts. They sought direction through the worldly ways including divination rather than the godly way.
Therefore, the Lord instructs Isaiah not to think like the people around him and not to react to things the way they do. The reason is that they were not walking by faith. Instead, the man of God was to walk by faith, not conforming to the opinions of the world and not fearing the things the world fears.
Our society is coming to us with a plethora of opinions about things. This is especially prevalent in this election year. The candidates, parties and political pundits inundate us with a variety of opinions. Campaigns grow more vicious every election year with half-truths, innuendos, fear mongering, etc. In the midst of all these things, we who call ourselves believers need to be able to sort through the rhetoric and find some truth.
How are we to sort through the rhetoric of our day? First, we must realize that public opinions that do not follow a biblical precedent may very well be swaying our opinions and values. Second, we must seek the truth of God’s word in establishing our opinions and values, “should not a people inquire of their God?” Third, we need to function in the higher plane of faith in God and His sovereignty. Is not He in control? Read these words again!
“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.” (Isaiah 8:12, ESV)
Renewing the Heart 