Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults. Isaiah 51:7
No one really likes to be insulted or be disapproved of. Everyone likes to be liked. When disapproval rises up, people begin to wonder what is wrong with themselves and fear that they are not worth anything. It will often cause people to shut down and close up within themselves out of fear that binds them up and keeps them from really living their lives.
Isaiah quotes God telling those who have His law in their hearts and know His righteousness to listen to Him and not be afraid of the reproach of people or their insults.
The world is quick to ridicule and put down believers for what they believe in God. Believers are often pushed to be ashamed of what they believe from God’s word. According to the world, the ways of God are archaic and filled with bondage instead of life.
As the reproach and insults grow, there rises threats of violence against believers. Jobs and positions are threatened. Physical violence rises up. Being placed into prison becomes a real possibility.
It is easy for a believer to begin to be afraid of the world, but God tells believers to not be afraid when these things are happening. The only believer who will not be afraid is the one who has God’s law in His heart.
With God’s law in the heart, the believer knows that God is truly in control and that these things will happen. One will also know that God will provide the needed salvation in the end. There is a faith in God that pushes out the fear of what man can do to a believer.
There are probably some people in your life that think that believing in God is crazy and wrong. Some of those may bring on a little to a lot of reproach and insults to try to discourage you. Do not fear what they may say or do but put your entire trust in God and His word. Hide His word in your heart and know His righteousness. God will take care of you and them at the right time and in the right way. In the end God will bring you into heaven for eternity when you are trusting Him.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s righteousness in your life; that you will not fear what people may say or do to you; and that you will trust God with your whole life.
Picture by Hans Veth on Unsplash
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