“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NIV
God gave me this encouraging verse last year, but it has taken on new meaning for me in the midst of this Coronavirus crisis. It is the Lord’s desire to be “the sure foundation for [our] times.” He wants to be our “security and stability,” as the Amplified translation says. He doesn’t want us to become fearful or doubtful when trouble strikes. He longs for us to keep our focus on Him, and to put our trust in Him, so that we can enjoy His perfect peace at all times. (Isaiah 26:3) Is this really a possibility in this life? The Scripture says it is. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes].” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMP) God made provision for us through Christ’s work on the Cross, so that we could have peace and stability in this life – but we have to build our life’s “foundation on the rock,” as Jesus told us. (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV) If we build our lives on anything but Christ and His truth, any storm could cause us to crumble.
The Lord also wants to be “a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge” for us. He not only wants to be our eternal salvation, but He wants to demonstrate His saving acts and works of deliverance in our lives right here and now. He desires that we look to Him for safety and protection – not just in a pandemic like this one, but in our everyday life. He also wants to provide us with divine “wisdom and knowledge” in every situation. Scripture says: “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 AMP) Divine wisdom is ours anytime day or night – just for the asking!
Isaiah 33:6 ends with this profound statement: “The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” If we want our foundation in this life to be unshakeable, if we desire divine salvation and wisdom and knowledge, then we must live our lives in the fear of the Lord. Scripture says: “Continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” (Philippians 2:12 AMP) If we are more afraid of offending God than people – if we are truly God-pleasers and not people-pleasers (Galatians 1:10) – then we most likely have a healthy fear of God. And all of these blessings are ours for the claiming in Jesus’ precious and mighty name!
Lord, I want You to be the sure foundation for my times all the rest of my days. Teach me how to build every area of my life on You and Your truth. Be my safety and protection in the midst of these turbulent times, and give me the wisdom and knowledge I need to walk in victory day and night. Thank You that as I do my best to avoid anything that might offend You or discredit Your name, I will experience the unshakeable peace and unspeakable joy that belong to me in Christ!
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