Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. – Isaiah 8:12
The simple word “politician” may conjure up negative feelings and distrust. However, R.A. Bertrum and Alfred Tucker, writers of a commentary on Isaiah, encouraged all believers to be “Biblical politicians.” In that context, they wrote that it is the duty of everyone in the believing community to stand firmly grounded in their faith, and not be swayed by the conspiracies or fears of the day.
Know first that you will likely not be siding with the majority. Though you find yourself in the minority, Exodus 23:2 directs, “You shall not fall in with the many to do evil… siding with the many, so as to pervert justice.” Secondly, look at the emotions of the times, whether they be fearful or hopeful, to determine if the nation and its people are in pursuit of righteousness. Your ultimate desire should be to please God. Fear the Lord and give Him honor, for He is Holy (Revelation 14:7). Let Him and His will be your “sanctuary and a stone of offense” (Isaiah 8:13-14).
Keep your focus on the Lord and spend time in His Word. Be conscious of the grandeur of God. Know Him for the Sovereign God that He is. Spread His light and hope to those around you. Though evil appears to run rampant, God is still on the throne.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to endure, the faithfulness to hold firmly to God’s guidance, and the boldness to speak to others to comfort them through the love of the Savior. Pray also for those in public office in this nation, that they may seek to calm the people by doing the right thing.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 8:12
Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Daniel 3:8-18
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
