What practical steps can we take to resist fear as shown in Isaiah 36:13? Fear’s Loud Voice “Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in Hebrew: ‘Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!’” (Isaiah 36:13) The Assyrian spokesman deliberately shouts in the people’s own language to spread terror. That scene still mirrors how fear tries to overwhelm our hearts today. What We Learn from the Scene • The enemy wants to control the narrative—speaking loudly and publicly. • Fear is contagious when we let threatening words linger in our ears. • God’s people do not have to answer back on the enemy’s terms (Isaiah 36:21). Practical Steps to Resist Fear 1. Choose whose voice gets airtime • Turn down the volume of intimidation. The officials refused to engage (v. 21). • Practice Philippians 4:8—fill your mind with whatever is true and praiseworthy. 2. Stand on the unchanging Word • Return to God’s promises: “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). • Speak Scripture aloud; Jesus answered Satan with “It is written” (Matthew 4:4-10). 3. Seek God first, not human alliances • Hezekiah went straight to the house of the LORD (Isaiah 37:1). • Psalm 56:3-4: “When I am afraid, I will trust in You… in God I trust; I will not fear.” 4. Pray and lay the threat before the Lord • Hezekiah spread the Assyrian letter before God (Isaiah 37:14-15). • 1 Peter 5:7 calls us to cast every anxiety on Him because He cares. 5. Remember past deliverances • Rehearse testimonies of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 77:11-12). • Fear weakens when we recall that “the LORD has done great things for us” (Psalm 126:3). 6. Stay in community • Judah’s leaders stood together on the wall (Isaiah 36:11). • Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13) so fear cannot isolate. 7. Expect God to act • The angel of the LORD struck down the Assyrian army (Isaiah 37:36). • 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Promises to Hold Fast To • Deuteronomy 31:6 – He will never leave nor forsake you. • Psalm 34:4 – “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” • John 14:27 – Jesus gives peace the world cannot give. When fear shouts, we do not shout back; we step back into God’s presence, stand on His Word, surround ourselves with faithful companions, and watch the Lord fight for us. |
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