When fear rises, run to God first.

There are chapters in Isaiah where I feel completely lost, and then there are chapters where the message quietly settles in over several years. For me, 2 Nephi 18 / Isaiah 8 has become one of those chapters. I turned to the margin notes in my scriptures for help today. 

One of my old margin notes simply says:

“Don’t team with the adversary.”

At the time, I probably thought I was writing something profound. Now I think I was only beginning to see the chapter clearly.

Isaiah warns the people not to trust in confederacies, alliances, fear, or the panic of the world around them. Everyone else is running somewhere for safety. Isaiah keeps pointing them back to God.

Three times the phrase “broken in pieces” is repeated. That caught my attention later. In scripture, repetition matters. Isaiah seems to be saying:

• You can gather together.
• You can make alliances.
• You can arm yourselves.
• Without God, you will still be broken in pieces.

The alternative?

“Sanctify the Lord… and let him be your fear.”

I do not think “fear” here means terror. I think it means reverence, awe, loyalty, and remembering who truly holds power. 

• Don’t fear men. 
• Don’t fear nations. 
• Don’t fear collapse. 
• Fear losing connection with God.

One thing I noticed is how differently people experience the Savior in this chapter. Isaiah describes Him as both a sanctuary and a stumbling stone. The same God who shelters some becomes an offense to others. I struggle with this. Isn’t Jerusalem supposed to be the covenant people? Isaiah does not let them hide behind that identity. We all choose.

And then there is the warning against seeking wisdom from sorcerers, mediums, and spiritual substitutes. Apparently humanity has always looked for shortcuts to certainty and safety.

I even wrote in my notes:

“Is asking AI for clarity the same thing? I hope not.” [gulp]

I do not think the problem is asking questions. The problem is where we finally place our trust.

So my bottom line from this chapter has stayed surprisingly simple:

When fear rises, run to God first.