Finding Courage in His Silence
"And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?" - Isaiah 57:11
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 57, verse 11 reveals a profound question from the Lord to His people: “And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?” This verse is a piercing reminder of the fears and distractions that often draw our attention away from God’s unwavering presence and promises. It challenges us to reflect on the things that we allow to intimidate us, leading us into falsehoods and forgetfulness of God’s faithfulness.
The context of this passage reveals a pattern of Israel distancing itself from God, succumbing instead to the fears of their surrounding nations and circumstances. This sense of fear led them to compromise their integrity and stray from the truth. God’s inquiry, filled with pathos, speaks to the heart of their rebellion—their forgetfulness of His past provision and protection.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we too can become overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. We fear the opinions of others, the uncertainty of the future, and sometimes even our own failures. These fears can cause us to harbor deceit in our hearts; we might create facades to uphold, disregarding our genuine relationship with God. Just as God confronted Israel about their fears, we must also confront our own.
What are the fears that consume your thoughts? Are they rooted in realities or mere illusions? Often, the fear of failure, rejection, or inadequacy can distort our understanding of God’s character. We may lie to ourselves about our competence or spin stories to justify our anxieties.
In this verse, God reminds us not merely of His presence but of His silence. "Have not I held my peace even of old?" God's silence is not an indication of His absence or negligence but a means of testing our faith and reliance upon Him. He has given us enough evidence through His Word and our own experiences to encourage us to trust Him despite the silent moments in our lives. When we feel abandoned or under pressure, it is crucial to remember that God is still on His throne, and He sees every tear and hears the cries of our hearts.
As we meditate on this verse, let us remember that fear is the antithesis of faith. The enemy often uses fear to invade our hearts and ignite doubt, drawing our focus away from the promises of God. Fear tells us we are alone, but faith reminds us that God is with us. The truth is unchangeable; even when God seems silent, He is working behind the scenes for our good and His glory.
To combat fear, we must actively remember the faithfulness of God in our lives. This involves laying His truths deep within our hearts—meditating on Scripture, recalling past victories, and recounting moments where He has provided. The more we reflect on who God is and what He has done, the more our fears diminish.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment when he encourages the believers: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). This offers us hope that we are empowered to overcome fear through Christ. We can replace our anxieties with faith and trust, allowing God to fill us with peace that surpasses all understanding.
As we face our fears, let us take the time to quiet our hearts in God’s presence, seeking His assurance and guidance. Let us heed His question and answer by choosing faith over fear, truth over lies. We are called to remember the Lord, to lay our hearts at His feet, and to trust that even in His silence, He is still speaking to us, drawing us closer to Himself.
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Isaiah 57:11 - "And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?"
"And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?" - Isaiah 57:11
Isaiah 57:1-2
Isaiah 57:21 - "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
Isaiah 57:12 - "I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee."
Isaiah 57:3 - "¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore."
Isaiah 57:20 - "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."
"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." - Isaiah 57:21
Isaiah 57:2 - "He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness."
Isaiah 57:5 - "Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?"
Psalms 57:11 - "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth."
Isaiah 57:19 - "I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him."
Isaiah 57:14 - "And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people."
Isaiah 57:17 - "For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart."
Isaiah 57:7 - "Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice."
Isaiah 57:20-21 - "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked."
Isaiah 57:16 - "For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made."
Isaiah 57:1 - "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."
Isaiah 57:18 - "I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners."
Isaiah 57:9 - "And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell."
Isaiah 57:10 - "Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved."
Isaiah 57:4 - "Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,"
"I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee." - Isaiah 57:12
"¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore." - Isaiah 57:3
John 11:57 - "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."
Isaiah 57:6 - "Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?"
Isaiah 57:15 - "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
Isaiah 57:1-2 - "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous are taken away from calamity, they enter into peace; those who walk uprightly will rest on their beds."
Isaiah 57:18-19 - "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”"
"He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness." - Isaiah 57:2