Isaiah 37:1-38:22
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Great readings in Isaiah featuring King Hezekiah today! You'll recall from yesterday's readings that King Sennacherib of Assyria's representative threw down some serious trash-talking at the walls of Jerusalem. (see yesterday's blog entry below). Well today in chapter 37 we read about Hezekiah seeking the Lord's help. Hezekiah takes all of this to God in prayer. Good move! How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God? Wouldn't it be easier to take them directly to God? Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or _______ (fill in your blank here) when we can simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them? Will you model what Hezekiah did when he received distressing news from the King of Assyria, in verses 14 through 17: "After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the LORD: "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Listen to me, O LORD, and hear! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see! Listen to Sennacherib's words of defiance against the living God."
Well, Hezekiah's prayer is clearly answered as we read in verse 36: "That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian troops. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere." Below is an engraving of this verse by Gutave Dore.
I love Hezekiah's poem of praise in chapter 38. Verse 16 stood out to me: "Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health." Would you agree with Hezekiah on this point? Is God's discipline good? Does God's discipline lead to life and health? Are you accepting God's discipline in your life today? I found this little reminder of some "good discipline" from a school website below. Not quite "the" Golden Rule below, but overall good stuff! :)
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 38 titled "The Deliverance of Judah's King" is at this link.
Worship Video I realize I'm on a Casting Crowns kick these days, but, wow, they have some amazing worship songs! In our Isaiah readings today, King Hezekiah reminded me that when the world comes after us with taunts and lies like he was getting from the King of Assyria, well, we either have the option to believe those lies or instead we'll choose to listen to the voice of Truth! (as King Hezekiah did in prayer!) Here's Mark Hall from Casting Crowns singing "Voice of Truth" solo on the piano. This is such a beautiful song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K5l3DMWzLo
Do you know the Voice of Truth? Click here and receive beautiful Truth!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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