Last week, I found a thought life prescription in the Book of Isaiah. Though it’s around 2700 years old, it’s just as fresh today as when it was written in Hebrew on a papyrus scroll. Let’s gain wisdom for our 21^st century lives from this ancient teaching in Isaiah 8.

A Thought Life Prescription in the Book of Isaiah

Isaiah lived over 700 years before Jesus came to earth. He’s one of my favorite Bible writers, and I love reading the book of Isaiah every September in my One Year Bible.

Let’s look closely at this reading in the New Living Translation.

The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. Isaiah 8:11

As followers of Yahweh (The Lord), we are set apart for his glory (Psalm 4:3). Our thinking needs to be different, so our actions will be different. That’s how the world will see that there is a different way to live which is much more peace-filled than what the world can find. (John 14:27) It’s how we will spread the Gospel to them!

A List of Don’ts:

Here’s what Isaiah tells us to avoid in our thought lives.

Call everything a conspiracy (8:12)

We live in an age when conspiracies abound. Spend about five minutes on Twitter and you’ll see conspiracies on both sides of the aisle. However, God’s people must think differently. We must choose to keep our minds steadfast because we trust in him (Isaiah 26:3). We must be self-controlled with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside true believers (John 16:13-14).

Live in dread of what frightens people in the world (8:12)

Another dynamic you see everywhere on social media is doomsaying. People of the world are frightened because Yahweh is not their Lord, Savior and Guide. But if you follow Jesus, he is all this to you and more. Put your trust in him when you are afraid by meditating on his Word and praying it back to him (Ps. 56:3).

Consult with mediums (8:19)

At first glance, you may say, “I don’t do that.” But have you ever read a horoscope? Many seemingly innocent things of the world can hold demonic influence. Remember that our enemy Satan can clothe himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14-15) and wants us to dabble in anything that leads us away from the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart on this issue and help you repent (Psalm 26:2).

Contradict the Lord’s Word (8:20)

You must know what God says to know if you are contradicting it. As I’ve written many times before, daily Bible study is essential to inoculate us against the subtle whispers of the world, including contradictions from false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1-2). The more you get to know God through his Word, the easier it will be for you to recognize contradictions, which are abounding in the world and sadly, in the church as well (1 John 4:1).

Rage and curse your king and your God (8:21)

Have you recently said something disparaging against a political leader? Ugh – I’m raising my hand here. The Bible is clear that we should not speak against our leaders (Eccl. 10:20) and instead show them respect, whether we agree with them or not (Rom. 13:1-3). God considers unfair criticism and judgment an affront against him (James 4:11), and rage is a serious sin to be avoided (Eph. 4:31-32).

A List of Do’s:

What we need to do in our thought lives, just like the people of Judah needed to do 2700 years ago.

Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life (8:13)

I believe one of the main reasons anxiety is so prevalent today is that people see God in a too-familiar light. We must regularly worship him for his holiness, splendor, majesty and power to counter both our anxiety and our pride. If you can picture yourself in God’s throne room, which Isaiah had the privilege of entering, you can get a glimpse of his holiness. You can meditate on Isaiah 6:1-8 to get a sense of God’s holiness. Another good passage is Revelation 4. Spend time worshiping God in your own throne room prayers.

Picture him as the Lord of Heaven’s Armies for greater peace in your own worries and troubles. If he is Lord over them, surely he is in control of your situation. This name of God seems to be Isaiah’s favorite one, and it brings me great comfort.

Fear him because he will keep you safe (8:13-14)

Does God’s power and holiness ever cause you to tremble? This is good, because we need to remember we are not in charge, but God is always in charge. Because he is so big and powerful, yet so loving and kind, we can trust him to keep us safe. He is upholding you with his righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10-13).

Preserve the teachings of God (8:16)

The best way to preserve his teachings is to memorize his Word. Then no one can take it away from you. You also won’t need a paper Bible or a Bible app to bring it to mind. Make it your goal to memorize one verse per week for the next month. You’ll be up to 40 percent more effective by writing it out daily over just reading it. You’ll also hide it better in your heart and mind if you speak it out loud. The Bible gives us several practical tips for memorization in Deut. 6:6-9.

Entrust his instructions to those who follow him (8:16)

To whom are you speaking about God? If you are a parent, it’s your God-given duty to speak about God with your children, no matter how old they are (see Deut. 6:6-9 again). I have found that when I’m reading the Bible daily, what I’m thinking about God naturally flows into conversations with my three teens. I don’t necessarily quote Bible verses to them. But I do share biblical principles and remind them of the ways God wants us to live. The more you study God’s Word, the more it becomes part of your thinking and speaking, and the easier it is to entrust his instructions to those in your care.

Wait for the Lord (8:17)

In our fast-paced society, patience is in short supply. We want things now, and we don’t want to wait on them. However, waiting on the Lord is the way for God’s people. We must trust that the Father’s timing is perfect, as Joshua and the Israelite army needed to believe (Joshua 6). We need to ask, seek and knock as Jesus instructed (Matt. 7:7-8), but all in a dependent position of waiting on the Lord’s best. A good passage for meditation on this topic is Eccl. 3:1-15.

Put your hope in him (8:17)

In what are you placing your hope? Be honest on this one. Is it your bank account? Insurance policy? Family? Church leaders? Political party? If there is even a shade of trust in these areas, surrender it over to God. He delights in you when you put your full hope in him instead of anything else. (Ps. 147:11)

Ask God for guidance (8:19)

So many of us want guidance on what to do next. Whether you’re facing a big or little choice, God cares about the path you will take. The Lord wants to be your advisor (Ps. 32:8). His Word will give you just enough light for the next step on your path (Ps. 119:105).

Look to God’s instructions and teachings (8:20)

When anxiety or trouble strikes, where do you turn first? I used to turn to chocolate, my family members, or my journal first. Those can be good things (chocolate in moderation is a blessing!), but if they are the FIRST thing to which we turn, we can easily get off track. Ask God to help you turn straight to him via prayer and Bible study when you feel anxious or troubled. I love repeating the names of God in Psalm 18:1-2 when fear rises. Then, if I still need help, I can reach out to a Christian friend, journal my thoughts or call my counselor. All these things work together for my good, but I’ve learned they work best when I consult God first of all.

A Thought Life Prescription in the Book of Isaiah

I hope you’ve enjoyed this meditation on Isaiah 8:11-21 NLT. I was inspired to write it from my daily readings. If you start reading the Bible daily, you’ll gain more wonderful prescriptions for your thought life through the Holy Spirit’s leading, friend!

Prayer Requests

Do you have a prayer request for me? I’d be honored to pray for you, and I hold your prayer requests in complete confidence. Send me your request HERE.

Special insider opportunity!

Did you know? I spend over $200.00 per month on all the expenses relating to my ministry. If you are willing to donate to help offset these expenses, I’ll reward you with an exclusive monthly video teaching and printable. Please donate HERE if you received value from my content today. I’ll add you to the monthly list to receive the exclusive rewards for your donation of any amount. Thank you!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

A Thought Life Prescription in the Book of Isaiah

This post may be shared on these linkups.

If you enjoyed this post, I appreciate your shares on social media!

If you make a purchase through the provided links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my writing ministry!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!