Isaiah 57:11
And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
ISAIAH 57:11
This verse asks pointed questions: “Of whom hast thou been afraid… that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me?” The prophet exposes fear-driven faith, where fear of others or circumstances drives denial of God. The rhetorical question implies the person has kept silent or avoided acknowledging God’s sovereignty, perhaps as a survival tactic amid political turmoil. The note about God having held his peace “of old” suggests patient, long-suffering divine restraint, contrasted with the people’s fear-driven behavior. The verse situates idolatry and unfaithfulness within a larger pattern: fear of humans overrides trust in God, which leads to forgetting God’s past faithfulness.
Themes include fear, memory, and divine faithfulness. It highlights the human tendency to forget God’s prior saving acts when faced with present threats and social pressure. The verse also reaffirms God’s patience and his expectation that people remember him as the source of security and identity.
Consider what you fear most today—people’s opinions, financial security, political outcomes—and how that fear shapes your choices. Do you “lie” to protect yourself or act as if God is distant? Practical steps: recount God’s past faithfulness in your life, journal prayers of gratitude, confess fear-based choices, and seek supportive community that helps you remember God’s promises. Let memory of God’s steadfast love guide present decisions, and re-enter trust in him, even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Cross-References: Deuteronomy 7:18–19; Psalm 56:3–4; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 13:5–6.