We live in troubled times. This is nothing new. Isaiah, “the Lord is salvation,” named his son “Mahershalalhashbaz” (Is 8:1). His son was a verbal and a visual aid to accent his message of swift and impending destruction of Israel from Assyria. What could be done? The people chose a flood, not a peaceful river (Is. 8:5-10); a snare rather than a sanctuary (Is 8:11-15); darkness rather than light (Is 8:16-22). Amid confusion and conspiracy theories then and now, the prophet challenges people to fear God, not man, to choose light, not darkness, and to seek God and his Word. Be careful not to look for quick answers to centuries-old problems. We must not be troubled, deceived, or discouraged in these days of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matt 24:6). “I will wait upon the LORD, . . . I will look for him (Is 8:17).
Paul Fields (Assistant Director)