DCLM Daily Manna 31 January 2022
Topic: The Weapon of Fear
TEXT: Isaiah 7:1-9
KEY VERSE:
“And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.” – (Isaiah 7:4)
Fear is one of the most potent weapons often used by the devil and his cohorts. Terrorists use it to weaken their targets’ confidence and create cracks in their walls of defence. In war situations, enemies use it to intimidate and weaken their opponents. Those who succumb to fear become easy targets and eventual victims.
King Ahaz of Judah, together with his royal family, was thrown into panic when news got to them that there was a plot to invade Judah by the alliance of the kings of Syria and Israel. Unlike his father, Jotham and grandfather, Uzziah, Ahaz had forsaken God and resorted to wickedness and gross idolatry. He could not obtain His help in the time of trouble. Sin has a weakening effect on sinners and makes them vulnerable.
However, for the present danger confronting Jerusalem, God, for the sake of His
promise to David and his house, sent Prophet Isaiah to Ahaz to advise and assure him that the plot against Judah would not stand.“Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted,” the Lord said to Ahaz. God referred to the threats of the two enemy nations as “tails of smoking firebrands”. This implies that they were empty and short-lived threats that would soon fizzle away. All that God required of Ahaz and his people was to “believe in the LORD” and “his prophets”. Doing this was the way to be established and prosper (2 Chronicles 20:20).
God’s “fear not” message particularly applies to the saints of God who are often the targets of Satan’s threats. We must not give in to the torment of fear, whatever the situation.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Counter every fearful threat with the written Word.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Romans 13-16
