Isaiah 8:13
“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear”
The temptation was strong. All of her friends were there at the party. They looked so happy and they were having a good time. But in her heart she knew that the worldly activity they were engaged in would not please her Heavenly Father. She also knew that if her mother and father saw her there they would be very disappointed. In reality the activity was sinful by any biblical standard. She was trying in her own mind to soften the sinfulness of the activity by calling it a “worldly activity”.
The people of Jerusalem in King Ahaz’s day were in danger from attack by Assyria. Isaiah taunts and challenges the enemies of the people of God in chapter 8 and concludes that their attack would “come to naught”. The reason their attack “shall not stand” was because Israel knew that God was with them. (vs. 10) God their Heavenly Father was their protection and guardian. He loved them and would deliver them. The puzzlement to Isaiah was, if God loved them so much, why would so “many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” (vs. 15) The truth was that they did not love Him enough to be faithful to Him. Isaiah exhorts them, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” He is telling them to fear disappointing the one who loves you so much! Sanctify Him, or set Him apart. Make Him so special, that to disappoint Him would grieve your own heart.
She knew how disappointed and hurt her mother and father would be if they ever find her engaged in such sinfulness. She knew that she could never stay there. She had to leave. Later, when she was speaking to her father, she paid him the highest complement a child could give a parent. “Dad, I decided that I could never do those things because of the pain that it would cause you.” She realized later that by putting herself under the wishes of her parents and the Heavenly Father, they became her “sanctuary” or place of safety. Those who reject that protection found that the Father will become a “stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence.” (vs. 14)
Child of God let the fear of the God be to you a hindrance to worldly living. Fear to disappoint Him and He will be your sanctuary, your protection.
“Let him be your fear” and you shall be safe.
II Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
