“For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 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. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” (Isaiah 8:11–15 ESV)

The people of Judah are afraid of surface level threats because they have no fear of God.  They have such a low view of the majestic grandeur of the Creator that they are easily shaken by what is going on around them.  We should not fear what others fear, nor dread what others dread for our eyes are fixed on the transcendent majesty of the King of all the earth.  He is our strength, protection, hope, salvation and strength.  God promises to preserve a remnant of faithful, loyal disciples while the remainder of the people remain stiff-necked and complain against God while they are taken in to exile.  A patient trust in God characterizes those whom are part of the remnant.  Is our faith really in God, or is it in other things – surface level things that distract us from full devotion?  “I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.” (Isaiah 8:17 ESV)