Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread.
In a stumbling, mumbling, fumbling world, Oh God, may one voice deflect the sounds of dread.
In a dismal, dark, December of discouragement, may one candle shine for the advent of hope.
In a world of madness, may one soul show mindfulness.
In a world of countless conspiracies and contrived confluences, may one person influence consideration, contemplation, and consecration.
In a world of dread, may one heart embrace determined faith.
In a restless world, may one rest on the Rock that stands fast.
In a curious world, may our curiosity lead to you and may our lives come into the orbit of your truth.
You stand through the ages from where you are seated in glory and power.
You move through time with strength and protection.
You are our sanctuary and solid ground that we may stand and sit and rest upon your steadfast Word.
We fear not.
May I be one and may there be many.
Make us sanctuaries for your presence in the world.
Immanuel!
Amen
Isaiah 8:1-15
Then the Lord said to me, Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, "Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz," and have it attested for me by reliable witnesses, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah. And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz; for before the child knows how to call "My father" or "My mother," the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria.
The Lord spoke to me again: Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and melt in fear before Rezin and the son of Remaliah; therefore, the Lord is bringing up against it the mighty flood waters of the River, the king of Assyria and all his glory; it will rise above all its channels and overflow all its banks; it will sweep on into Judah as a flood, and, pouring over, it will reach up to the neck; and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
Band together, you
peoples, and be dismayed; listen, all you far countries; gird yourselves and be dismayed; gird yourselves and be dismayed! Take counsel together, but it shall be brought to naught; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. For the Lord spoke thus to me while his hand was strong 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 it fears, or be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
He will become a sanctuary, a stone one strikes against; for both houses of Israel he will become a rock one stumbles over– a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared andtaken.
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