The Lord inspires Isaiah to say this, “The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “MAKE THE LORD OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES HOLY IN YOUR LIFE. He is the one YOU SHOULD FEAR. He is the one who should MAKE YOU TREMBLE. He will keep you safe. But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that MAKES PEOPLE STUMBLE, a rock that MAKES THEM FALL. And for the people of Jerusalem, He will be A TRAP AND A SNARE. Many will stumble and fall, never to rise again. They will be snared and captured.” PRESERVE THE TEACHING OF GOD; entrust His instructions TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW ME.” (Isaiah 8:11-16)
The Lord does not change, “I am the LORD, and I DO NOT CHANGE. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6) HE IS HOLY AND ALL–POWERFUL. To those who honor Him as holy “He is the one YOU SHOULD FEAR. He is the one who should MAKE YOU TREMBLE. (Isaiah 8:13), the Lord is a place of refuge. Their hope for survival and abundant life rests in Him. In this way, God is like a large, stable rock: a secure foundation and place of safety, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God IS MY ROCK, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and MY PLACE OF SAFETY.” (Psalms 18:2)
However, to those who do not honor the Lord as holy, that same cornerstone becomes SOMETHING A TRIPPING HAZARD. God’s truth cannot be denied, any more than a person can walk through a boulder. For those who reject Him, God becomes a “stumbling rock.” He’s something they cannot help but trip over. Everyone who tries to succeed and thrive APART FROM THE LORD eventually FALLS AND DOES NOT PROSPER. And for everyone who honors Him as holy,
HE IS THE SOLID ROCK ON WHICH THEY BUILD THEIR LIFE.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham