Trusting God in a Culture of Conspiracy: Isaiah 8

Why Fear and Conspiracy Theories Capture Our Attention

Fear sells. If you have ever paid attention to your YouTube feed you already know this. I remember after 9-11 all the news channels had feeds at the bottom of the screen full of fearful news. More broadly we have seen a massive increase in conspiracy theories, some have proven to be true and some pure imagination. The Bible has something to say about trusting God in a culture of conspiracy in Isaiah 8:12.

“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread." (ESV)

Isaiah 8 and the Biblical Warning Against Conspiracy Thinking

During Isaiah's time, under the wicked king Ahaz, the nation of Israel was being threatened by the Assyrian Empire. The king, instead of relying on God, decided to form alliances with other nations to help protect Israel. Not that an alliance in and of itself was wrong, but God had not directed Ahaz to do this. It was his own idea.

The people of Judah did not know what to believe or who exactly they should fear. They were unsure of their future and what was planned for them by those in charge. They believed rumors and half truths. They sought answers but, not finding them, they were in dread over what may lie ahead.

When Fear Replaces Trust in God

These people were not so different from us today. We are not sure who to believe or who we can trust. When people don't know what is truth they become fearful and fear leads to speculation, much of it unfounded. As Christians, we, like the people of Judah, are called not to live in dread, because we know who is ultimately in charge. God has us in His very capable hands as our provider and protector, not mere man (Psalm 27:1, 2 Timothy 1:7).

Dread drives our anxiety levels through the roof. We fear the unknown and so to ease that we seek answers, often in conspiracies. Yet 1 Peter 5:7 calls us to give our anxiety to God. This doesn't mean we should not seek truth. Through the Holy Spirit and His help we can discern the things that are true. We may not get every answer we want but we know God has those answers. He is who our trust is in.

If we truly believe Jesus can give us a peace that passes understanding, we will know in Him there is no fear. Does that mean we believe everything will always be wonderful? Of course not! There may be pandemics and wars, there may be famines and droughts, but when we place our trust totally in God we will have His peace. When fear moves from temporary concern to a controlling force in our lives, it becomes more than emotion, it becomes a spiritual problem.

The Spirit of Fear vs. the Sovereignty of God

As Christians, 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that we haven't been given a spirit of fear. This spirit of fear can be a real, demonic force that can make us irrational and almost paralyze us, as if we can't make a decision. What would its presence mean?

It would cause us to doubt God and His sovereignty over our situation. A spirit of fear damages our relationship to God. At the very least, Satan can weaponize fear against us. Of course, evil is not imaginary and wrongdoing certainly exists.

Even if certain conspiracies are found to be true, Paul explains that God “works out everything by the counsel of His will” ( Ephesians 1:11). We are to always pray that God's will be done "on earth as it is in Heaven." In due time, God's will indeed will come to pass.

We can become so wrapped up in learning more about conspiracies or proving they are true or false that we neglect the purpose we have on this earth, which is to love our neighbors as ourselves. In fact, they can cause us to distrust those around us so totally that we don't help those in need. For those who disagree with us we are commanded to show humility, respect, and empathy.

Fear of the Lord: The Only Fear That Leads to Wisdom

Isaiah 8:13 explains,

"But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." (ESV)

Our God is truly holy, or set apart, from all other idols or gods. We don't look at any worldly institution as holy, even if it is our government. We don't place concepts like freedom or democracy above God. We don't place particular leaders over God. We are loyal to God above all.

Out of reverence, respect, and awe for God we fear Him, no mere nation or person is to be feared. Proverbs 9:10 says that the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. He is sovereign over all. He is who we will all answer to at some point. This fear leads to obedience and trust in His holy and righteous judgment.

When Isaiah says God should be our dread, that is over and above fear. Fear of deities was common in the ancient world but dread went even further. Jesus reminds us of this in Matthew 10:28 when He says not to fear the person who can kill your body, but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in Hell. God has the final power over all of His creation. We are called to submit to His absolute authority over us in all things.

The question, then, is not whether fear will shape us, but which fear will. If we fear men and their hidden schemes, we elevate human control above divine authority. But if we fear the Lord, we bow before His sovereignty over every plot and power. And this posture of the heart determines how we encounter Him. The same God who rules over all becomes either our sanctuary or the stone over which we stumble.

Jesus: Sanctuary or Stumbling Stone

We read this in Isaiah 8:14,

"And He will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (ESV)

God Himself is a place of safety and refuge for His children, quite literally, a sanctuary. For Judah the temple, the sanctuary, was the place where God's presence dwelt. For Christians, we are His temple because He dwells in us (1 Corinthians 6:19).

To the divided nation of Israel (both houses) God becomes a stone of offense and a rock to stumble over, a trap and a snare. For those people of Israel who heeded the prophet's warning and worshipped God in spirit and truth, He was a cornerstone, as Jesus is for those who love and serve Him (1 Peter 2:8). But to those who reject the prophets, and later reject Jesus, the warnings and messages are offensive. For those who choose not to believe in Jesus, for them He becomes a stumbling block that leads to destruction.

Judah (the Southern Kingdom) and Israel (the Northern Kingdom), in Isaiah's time, both faced the judgment of God for their disobedience, for offering lip service to Him without offering their hearts. Their leaders were corrupt and for this there were consequences. Because God alone is holy and sovereign, we should make Him our sanctuary and the one we truly fear and revere, not the schemes of men.

Trusting God in a Culture of Conspiracy

As His followers we can make Jesus our sanctuary by seeking Him first when problems and fears come up. Run to Him and His peace before anything else. We need to pray, study His word, bless and honor Him, and certainly thank Him for all He has done and will do for us and those we love. Waiting on God can be difficult sometimes, but we know He wants only what is best for us.

Let us guard our hearts by continuously confessing our sin and making sure we don't come in contact with unholy, ungodly things. Don't forget to meet with other Christians and share what He has done for you by encouraging each other. Our lives should be lived set apart, not conformed to this world. We are "sojourners and pilgrims" (1 Peter 2:11) on the earth.

With Isaiah we will patiently wait on the Lord to fulfill His promises, trusting in Him alone (Isaiah 8:17). Regardless of what conspiracy theories may be brought forward, we will be found trusting God in a culture of conspiracy, because we know who sits on the throne and we will not fear. Faith that trusts God is never disappointed.

We know who it is that lives within us. My prayer for you is that with all discernment from our Heavenly Father, we can know and recognize truth, we can cast out fear in Jesus' name, and that we become a sanctuary of holiness because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

Be blessed with "Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary."