A Servant’s Heart: A Warning
Who among you fears the Lord and listens to his servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord; let him lean on his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with torches; walk in the light of your fire and of the torches you have lit! This is what you’ll get from my hand: you will lie down in a place of torment. Isaiah 50:10–11 (CSB)
In Isaiah 50:4-9 we saw a portrait of the Lord’s servant. He saw him as a listener, as one who suffered, yet exhibited determination and steadfastness. He was vindicated and his enemies put to shame. The attention now turns to us. How will we react? Will we listen to God’s servant? Or will we persist in doing things our own way?
We have choices to make with the revelation that we have received. To begin with each one of us walks in darkness. We have no light to guide us. In verse 10, we see 3 key thoughts: “Who among you fears the Lord;” “listens to his servant;” and “let him trust in the name of the Lord.”
These are key to walking in the light rather than in darkness. In contrast, those who like their own fire, and walk in the light of their own wisdom will find a place of torment. The servant of the Lord has proven himself. We must listen to him. There is no viable alternative than to fear God and trust in the name of the Lord.
The Danger of Walking in Our Own Light
This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the person who trusts in mankind. He makes human flesh his strength, and his heart turns from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5 (CSB)
We see that the servant of the Lord has proven himself, so why would anyone want to live in their own illumination?
This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. John 3:19–20 (CSB)
If we live our lives according to our own illumination and insights, we will be deceived. Like someone who views life through “rose-colored lenses,” the illumination of man hides the reality of sin. Not all light is the same. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:9 (CSB). If Jesus is the true light, then other lights are fraudulent.
When we find people questioning the validity of God’s word, it is because they want to hide from the truth. Following the path of the Servant is unpopular. It goes against the culture and morality of the present age. It cannot overlook or excuse sin.
Light not only exposes and reveals the true nature of something, but it is also a powerful disinfectant. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NLT). No other source of light can do for us what God’s light can accomplish.
Fear That Is Good
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 9:10 (NLT)
Fear is a powerful emotion. It can protect us from danger, or it can paralyze us. Jesus spoke of proper fear: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NLT). When we fear man more than we fear God, it is because we do not see things clearly. Fear of man leads to slavery. Fear of God is the path to freedom.
It is shortsighted to react only to what we can see. When we understand the benefits of the fear of the Lord, we can then make good decisions and have sound judgment. Sin is powerfully deceptive. Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. Psalm 36:1 (NLT). When a people or a nation does not fear the Lord, it is because they have been ensnared by the deceitfulness of sin.
Sin isolates and separates us from God and other people. Fellowship and community protect us from the fear of man. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. Hebrews 3:13 (CSB)
We must put fear in its proper place.
Trust and Obey
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5–7 (CSB)
The Servant of the Lord has proven himself to be trustworthy and dependable. The Bible tells us to fear God and to listen to the Servant. Jesus proved himself faithful as a servant, therefore we must trust and obey him. He said: The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” John 14:21 (CSB)
We live in a world that is full of darkness, but we can live in the light. For look, darkness will cover the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you, and his glory will appear over you. Isaiah 60:2 (CSB)
We have a choice to make. Will we live in the illumination of God’s word that will expose sin and things that are unpleasing to God? God’s light will purify and cleanse us. Or will we live by the light of our own fire and find destruction. The choice is set before us. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)
Steve Ekeroth