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Home , Isaiah 54

When Not to Fear The Lord 54:4-10

Introduction

1. There are times when the Scriptures clearly teach us to fear the Lord. a) A constant refrain in Deuteronomy Deut. 3:22; 6:2, 13; 8:6; 10:20; 13:4 b) Found in many Ps. 2:11; 15:4; 22:23; 33:8; 34:9; 96:4; 112:1 c) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7 d) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 e) A common phrase found in Proverbs. Pr. 1:29, 2:5; 3:7; 8:13 2. Yet, there are many times when God tells us not to fear Him. a) Isaac Genesis 26:24 b) Gideon Judges 6:10, 23 c) The prophets Is 54:4; Jer. 30:10; Dan. 10:12 d) Often the first words Jesus said. Matt. 14:27; 17:6 3. We understand that there are some different ideas being conveyed in those moments, as well as different reasons to fear or not to fear. 4. Interesting that not fearing God is what often leads people to sin, but just as often, being afraid of God keeps people from repentance and forgiveness. 5. This morning, I want to talk about why we must not allow fear to keep us from seeking the forgiveness and salvation that only God can give.

Discussion

I. You Will Forget Your Shame (Isaiah 54:4)

A. The first time man ever felt shame was connected to sin. Genesis 2:25; 3:6-8 1. Ever since that first sin in the garden, men have tied to hide the shame of sin from one another, and from God. a) Achan Joshua 7 b) 2 Samuel 11 2. We know that sin separates us from God, and shame often keeps us apart.

B. What really makes this silly is God knew what you were doing before you sinned, knew what you were thinking when you sinned, and knows exactly where you are hiding after you’ve sinned.

C. What makes it sad for us is that God has already done what was necessary to remove that shame from us forever. 1. This is what Isaiah is trying to teach us. :18-19; 53:4-5, 12 2. In Christ, we are changed people. Romans 6:6-7 a) Not ruled by fear and shame b) But filled with peace, hope, and joy.

II. Your Maker is Your Husband (Isaiah 54:5)

A. We have a close intimate relationship with the Lord of Host! 1. He taught us about two becoming one flesh so we would understand the relationship He wants with us. 2. He is a jealous God because this relationship is important to Him. 3. We are important to Him.

B. He is your Maker. 1. That means He knows us. 2. He knows we are but dust. Psalm 103:8-9, 13-14 3. He knows our weaknesses, our fears, our failings.

C. He is the Lord of Host, the Holy One of , the God of all the earth. 1. You want to talk about a Higher Power. There is no higher power. 2. When you are pardoned by God, nobody else’s opinion matters. In truth, everybody else just has to fall in line. a) This is why David said, “Against You, You only, have I sinned.” Ps. 51:4 b) When God pardons, even Satan is silenced. Zechariah 3:1-5 3. With God, there is no fear of Satan. He answers to God.

D. He is your Redeemer. 1. The redeemer is the one who buys you out of slavery. He pays the debt. 2. It is God Himself who redeems us. :16-17

E. Our Lord is to be held in great reverence, respect, and awe, but He does not want us to shrink away from Him in fear. He wants to be one with us.

III. He Has Called You (Isaiah 54:6)

A. Esther was afraid to go before the king without being called. Esther 4:11

B. Joseph came quickly when he was called. Genesis 41:14

C. Esther knew she was safe when the king stretched out the scepter to her. Esther 5:2

D. God’s hand is always stretched out to His people. :2

E. He knows where you’re at when you sin, and He doesn’t want you to stay there. 1. He wants us to come out of the world. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 2. He called us out of darkness. 1 Peter 2:9-10

F. Remember that it is God who loved us first. 1 John 4:10

IV. A Moment of Wrath Leads to Everlasting Kindness (Isaiah 54:7-8)

A. The clearly shows that sin leads to wrath (Psalm 78), but God wants it to be for as short a time as possible. 1. No pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33:11 2. Not willing that any should perish… 2 Peter 3:9

B. God’s desire is that in that moment of being forsaken, that little bit of wrath from Him will be enough to move us back to Him. He wants it to chasten us. 1. He allows us to feel the sting of sin, because He loves us. Hebrews 12:5-6 2. He wants us to be trained by it. Hebrews 12:9-11 3. If we will learn from it, we can partake of His holiness.

C. I have preached whole sermons about the mercy of our God. Psalm 136 (26X)

V. His Covenant of Peace Shall Not Be Removed (Isaiah 54:9-10)

A. How long ago did God make His promise to ? Seen any rainbows lately?

B. Jesus is the anchor of God’s promise to us. Hebrews 6:17-20

C. His covenant is one of redemption and eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:11-15

D. Therefore, we can come boldly to the throne of God. Hebrews 10:16-23

Conclusion

1. God is greatly to be feared. Psalm 89:7 2. Psalm 89 is about God’s mercy. Psalm 89:1-8, 13-18, 28, 30-33 3. I hope you will allow the fear of the Lord to keep you from sin. 4. I pray that you will not be afraid to seek the Lord when you need forgiveness. a) He is your Husband, your Redeemer. b) He is holding out His hands for you to come to Him. c) He wants to be merciful to you d) That will never change. 5. Praise to our God whose mercy endures forever.

–Simon Harris Albany, NY