Isaiah 12:2

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

Consider the name Isaiah: "Our salvation is Jehovah!" The full meaning of his name is found in Isaiah 12:2—"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation." This precious servant had seen a vision of the terrible and awesome holiness of God. He had seen the seraphims of glory hide their eyes at the sight he beheld. He had heard the thundering voices of angels crying, "Holy, holy, holy!" He had been humbled and shamed by the uncleanness of his lips — and of the sin among God's people. He had experienced the burning, purging coals from God's altar. He was never to be the same. God's holiness was now his vision, his witness, his ministry. He was not out to get anybody — he was not vindictive. Isaiah understood that God's redemptive love was behind all His righteous judgments. His wrath was meant to produce future grace upon a purged and purified people! But never again would this witness permit sin against God's holiness to go unchallenged.

Isaiah knew that if he stood only for God's holiness — it would bring down upon him the wrath of all the people of God who were cozy with the world! He and all who stood with him would be accused of being unpatriotic! They would be called conspirators — division mongers. But Isaiah was so clear in his vision of God's holiness — so sure that God would judge sin — he cared not what they said. He warned, "Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." (Isaiah 8:12).

What the prophet was saying was, "Don't be put off by their accusations that you are a traitor, a conspirator, or unpatriotic because you tell the truth about God's holiness and righteousness judgments against sin in His house! Don't fear them — never be afraid to stand up for His righteousness." "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).

Isaiah was fearless against sin in Israel because he knew that God had promised to become a sanctuary to all who stand for Him. "Then...He will be as a sanctuary” (Isaiah 8:14).

Who is it who will be hidden by God — protected from all the arrows and fiery darts of the enemies of the Lord? There is a condition! "Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread..." (Isaiah 8:13). Those who fear God and dread his righteous judgments need fear no living man, no demons, no principalities or powers of darkness. Those who stand in awe of His holiness will discover Christ as their hiding place!