Dear
God, we are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that
you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around
our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the
greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of
love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so
we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh
filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come
to know you.
We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2024-Heart
Dive 365 - 365 Days through the Bible
in one year with Kanoe Gibson
An
enriching journey through the Bible, meticulously
studying each chapter and unraveling its
profound wisdom. Extensive notes, insights,
and reflections for every chapter.
2024
Reading Plan, Heart Dive 365 with Kanoe
Gibson. PDF
link
Obadiah
is a short book, but God has a major prophecy
He gave to Obadiah regarding a whole nation.
Although Judah and Israel are briefiy referenced,
this prophecy is specifically for the Edomites,
who are relatives of the Israelites.
Judgment
is pronounced against their pride in their
defenses and alliances and their unwillingness
to help their relatives when they are afflicted.
They also took advantage of Israel and Judah's
distress by taking plunder for themselves
and helped the enemy by killing those who
tried to escape. God promises there will
be a future day of complete destruction,
and it will be carried out in the same manner
they treated their relatives.
Psalm
82 is a song that speaks of God asking unjust
judges why they refuse to judge the people
fairly. He commands that justice be carried
out to the weak, poor, and needy, as they
are to be the protectors of the vulnerable.
God
finds them ignorant and lacking the wisdom
required for their status, and in their
carelessness, they have created an unstable
society. Because they have denied justice
to the innocent, God, being the ultimate
judge, pronounces judgment upon them. At
the end, a prayer of praise to the Lord
is cried for God's perfect justice.
Psalm
83 is a prayer to the Lord for help against
enemies who might destroy Israel. It speaks
of how the nations surrounding have allied
themselves together to see to Israel's demise.
A
plea for the same deliverance that was seen
in the days of the Judges is asked of the
Lord; that He may bring those nations to
their destruction and know He is the true
God.
ROLE
OF PRIDE | Obadiah 1:1-4
This
might sound a bit harsh, but God hates pride.
He
hates it because it deceives His kids. As
parents, we too will despise anything that
leads our children astray. He hates pride
because it takes us away from Him, as we
grow independent of our need for His protection,
provision, and guidance. This isn’t God
being a tyrant, it is the heart of a Father
who grieves their child’s absence.
He
loves us and wants us to be near, but when
we’re prideful, we won’t pray as much, we
will stop seeking Him, and we will go off
and do our own thing. And He hates pride
because it puts us at odds with people.
Proverbs
says that out of pride comes contention
(13:10), and pride is the surest route to
self-destruction (16:10). That means every
fight or quarrel we get into has a root
of pride. So what’s the solution? Humility.
What’s
gonna keep us humble? Daily confession,
a thorn in our fiesh, or both. Sometimes
we loathe the thorn or the trials that humble
us. But if it keeps us dependent upon the
Lord, we should embrace it, because it will
be a bu£er of pride, as it will allow
God’s strength to outshine our weakness.
Heart Check.
What
role does pride play in your life? Are you
confessing daily? And are you able to embrace
the trials of life as an instrument of humility?
FAULTY
CRITICS | Obadiah 1:12-13
The
interesting thing about Edom is that they
felt powerful but were pretty poor and insignificant.
This is why they felt the need to boast
about their strengths while tearing down
those who were vulnerable. This is what
weak people do to feel powerful. They will
criticize, attack, and try to knock you
down a notch to make themselves feel bigger
than they are. This is what you call a faulty
critic. And this can knock you off course
if you don’t trust that God will deal with
them. Heart Check.
How
do you deal with those who try to tear you
down? Or do you critize others behind their
backs (or not) to make yourself feel better?
SMALL
SIGNIFICANCE | Obadiah
We
have just read our first of 12 books of
the minor prophets, which run from Hosea
to Malachi. And when we say “minor,” this
does not mean their message was any less
significant.
It
simply refers to the length of their oracle,
and Obadiah’s is the shortest, only spanning
21 verses. But it is also one of the most
powerful. Sometimes, the less we speak,
the more we actually say. We also don’t
know much about Obadiah, except that his
name means “servant of the Lord.”
This
also encourages me because we don’t need
to be known by the world to be used powerfully
in the kingdom. All we need is a servant's
heart that is obedient to do what God calls
us to, no matter how big or small. Obadiah
did that. Heart Check.
Are
you rising in obedience to do what God has
called you to? Are you being held back by
your idea of its insignificance or greatness
UNHOLY
ALLIANCES | Psalm 83:6-7
While
the Philistines and Assyrians were well-known
enemies of Israel, it breaks my heart to
see Edom and the Amalekites allying to join
the war against God’s people. They are both
descendants of Esau, the ones who should’ve
been fighting with God’s people. But such
is the case often—believers fighting against
believers—and the enemy loves it.
He
knows that if he can get us to fight against
each other over doctrine, translation, philosophy,
or even personal jealousies, he can keep
us from doing what we should be doing: saving
the lost. When we do that, we end up forming
an unholy alliance because we are fighting
the wrong enemy. Heart Check.
Who
have you allied with? Who are you fighting?
Are you on the side of the church? Or fighting
against God's people?
Deep
Dive
What
can we learn from Edom’s pride and the dangers
that come from it?
With
Obadiah as your reference, is it considered
to be a “greater sin” when you sin against
a relative or someone close to you?
Are
there degrees to sin?
How
do you see injustice or corruption in the
justice system today? What are the e£ects?
How
might we respond to injustice in our community?
Heavenly
Father, You are Lord and you are Most High
over all the earth.
Nothing
has changed about you, and your justice
and sovereignty remains the same today as
it was thousands of years ago. Thank you
for the reminder that you are still on the
throne, especially when we see the chaos
ensuing throughout the world. Sometimes
we can’t even see past it long enough to
bolster up our faith and memory that you
will make all of this right one day. It
has been the failure and fall of man that
has created this chaos. Forgive us if we
have ever thought that you created this
madness. We know that it is not your desire,
yet you knew all along that it would happen.
Yet we know the day of redemption is drawing
nearer, so I pray that in the meantime,
we will do our part to defend the rights
of the poor, the fatherless, and the oppressed.
May we be agents of positive change in our
communities as we look for the needs that
we can meet. And in doing so, may your glory
be seen.
Even
if we don’t have position or influence,
your power rests in us, and we have the
authority to help spread knowledge and understanding.
Show us how we can do that in practical
ways. I pray that we won’t form unholy alliances,
but fight on your side and for your greater
purpose that stems from unity. Forgive us
if we have ever torn down your people in
any way. Show us how we can, instead, build
up and encourage, and train up so that your
goodness will be known to the world. Please
don’t let us get distracted by personal
offense or jealousy but instead stay focused
on you, knowing that you will vindicate
us.
Thank
you for the reminder today that no matter
how great the battle we face is, you are
greater and you are in control. So our hope
and victory rest in your sovereign hand
as we continue to trust in your sovereignty
over all things and all places.
We
pray for our leaders and those vying for
o£ice in this next election. You have
already ordered what will happen, so we
do not need to worry, but we do need to
be in tune with you and what you want us
to do, so that we do not fight against your
will and purpose, but instead play into
your hand that you are dealing out.
May
we not be like those who make idols out
of the candidates but recognize their carnality
that is subject to you, just as we are.
We pray for hearts to turn to you and for
wise and godly leadership to prevail. But
even if it shouldn’t, help us to continue
to trust in you, our one and only true leader.
Thank
you for the victory that has already been
won by you Jesus. We look forward to the
day when you return and set up your kingdom
on this earth and restore your beautiful
nation. Lord, bless Israel, bless your people,
and let your will be done, in Jesus’ name.
2
Kings 1 begins with Israel's King Ahaziah
becoming badly injured, and he inquires
about his healing from his pagan god and
not from Yahweh. This angers the Lord, and
sends Elijah to relay a message to the king
about his imminent death. Ahaziah's messengers
return with the same message Elijah gave
him. When the king discovered it was Elijah
who also gave them the message, he sent
two large groups of men to arrest Elijah.
The Lord judges two groups as fire from
the sky, but the third group is spared for
their humility. Elijah delivers the same
message, and Ahaziah dies.
2
Kings 2 records the miraculous ascension
of Elijah to heaven. Elisha follows Elijah
to each of his final destinations in his
devotion to his mentor. Elisha witnessed
the Spirit's work in Elijah and asked if
he might have it passed to him as though
he was Elijah's symbolic firstborn. The
Lord ascended Elijah to heaven in a chariot
of fire through a whirlwind as he and Elisha
were walking. Elisha begins his ministry
when he purifies the waters of Jericho and
pronounces a curse on those who mock him
and the Lord.
We
see the evil king of Israel, Jehoram, rise
in 2 Kings 3. When his father died, the
king of Moab rebelled and refused to pay
tribute to Israel. Israel and Judah aligned
themselves with Edom against Moab. They
planned to attack Moab from the south and
ended up stranded in the desert without
water. Jehoshaphat recommends seeking the
advice of the Lord, and they divert toward
where Elisha was residing. The Lord spoke
blessing through Elisha, and He sent rain
to quench their thirst and helped them to
defeat the Moabites.
2
Kings 4 recalls the miracles Elisha performs
with the hand of God. A desperate widow
can pay off her debt, save her sons
from being sold into slavery, and have money
for the future with Elisha's help. According
to Elisha's prophetic word, a woman unable
to conceive bore a son because of her kindness
toward Elisha. This same child died suddenly
one day and was brought back to life with
Elisha's touch. During a famine, Elisha
performs a miracle with a pot of stew, and
he multiplies barley loaves for a large
group of people
GARMENTS
| 2 Kings 1:8
We
can only guess why he was called hairy or
wore a hairy garment. Some think he was
a hairy, bearded man, but many believe it
was his cloak. The hairy garment could have
been made from animal skin with the hair
left on, like sheep, goat, or camel.
The
most distinctive part was that it marked
him as a prophet. It was a lowly garment
worn by the poorest, showing contempt for
the society that idolized wealth and materialism.
Did
you know that in psychology, garments create
a first impression? People often judge someone
by their clothes, guessing their personality,
status in life, and values. But we know
that the Lord judges by the heart while
man judges by outward appearance.
Colossians
3:12-15 it says, "Therefore, as God's
chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive one another if any of
you has a grievance against someone. Forgive
as the Lord forgave you. And over all these
virtues, put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity."
What
garments are you clothing yourself in-garments
of the world or of the Holy Spirit?
LORD
OF YOUR LIFE | 2 Kings 1:1-16
This
passage is about seeking hope in everything
but God. These other things - wealth, health,
status, family, relationships, drugs - become
the lords of our lives, just as Beelzebub,
the "lord of fiies," was the lord
for Ahaziah. Ahaziah, a man who hid in his
home, still met his demise instead of being
a righteous leader for his people.
Don’t
get hope twisted in this world. During my
husband’s cancer battle, we could have thought,
"Okay, my husband has cancer, so we
should only go to the Lord and nothing else."
Hope in the LORD comes first, but we are
also to use the gifts he has provided, like
medical advancements and many other gifts.
A
doctor's healing power didn't define my
husband's hope. The Lord healed his spirit,
heart, and mind, not man's medication or
medical intervention. This section asks
us to consider who is the lord of our life.
So, heart check.
Who
is Lord of your life? Where do you find
your hope?
WALK
YOUR WAY | 2 Kings 2
The
passing of a mantle from one leader to their
successor always looks di£erent, just
like in a digital ministry. I know I'm not
Kanoe Gibson, and don't pretend to be.
We
have to walk in the way of the Lord, staying
true to what He has laid on our hearts and
ensuring we are in His will. The desires
of our hearts should align with His, even
if they look di£erent from someone
else's path.
This
is illustrated in the lives of Elijah and
Elisha. Elijah led people back to worshipping
God with a very God-centered approach but
lived isolated.
In
contrast, Elisha lived a more people-centered
life, with a public profile and more miracles
attached to his name. One way isn't better
than the other; both are written in the
Bible and did mighty work for the Heavenly
Father. So, heart check:
Are
you walking in the way of the Lord or in
the way of the world?
EVERLASTING
WATER | 2 Kings 3
There
is nothing quite like the quenching thirst
for water after you've worked a long, hard
day out in the sun, especially in Georgia,
with that humidity hitting 110%. It is overwhelming.
Yet,
it cannot compare to the everlasting well,
the living water we get from Jesus Christ.
In these stories, we see that these kings
did not seek the living water—God, Yahweh.
Elisha
and Elijah, however, were like walking rainstorms,
overfiowing with joy, faith, obedience,
and trust in the Lord. Their water supply
was abundant and never-ending. Heart Check:
How
is your water supply? Are you seeking the
living water that only Jesus can provide,
or are you trying to quench your thirst
elsewhere?
JARS
OF FAITH | 2 Kings 4:1-7
The
woman’s deliverance, hope, and joy from
escaping her debtor's oppression were limited
by the number of jars she had available
for the oil.
Elisha’s
command was to collect as many jars as possible.
If she had doubted his word and collected
only a few, she might have just enough to
pay the debtor but not enough to live on.
The
challenge for us is similar: What is the
size of the vessel you are filling with
the word of God and prayer? Are you filling
it to the point of overfiowing? Do you need
to increase Him and decrease yourself? So,
heart check:
Is
it time to increase the number of jars for
the Lord's overflowing Spirit in your life?
RADICAL
GENEROSITY | 2 Kings 4:8-37
Sometimes,
our unique circumstances allow us to serve
God in di£erent ways. The Shunammite
woman’s service proves that women are not
only meant to serve as wives and mothers.
She
used her unique station and situation selfiessly,
showering kindness and generosity upon the
prophet of the Lord, even when it might
not have made sense to those around her.
She served with humility, without expecting
payment or a miracle, even though she was
granted one. She modeled true contentment,
even though her deepest desire was to have
a child.
In
dire circumstances, sorrow, and grief, she
petitioned the Lord and demonstrated faith
beyond comprehension. I know many listening
may also be hurting and grieving like the
Shunammite woman—sorrow over barrenness
or grief over the loss of a child. My heart
goes out to you in your pain. Your grief
is valid, and it's important to acknowledge
and feel those emotions. May these verses
o£er comfort and hope in our Lord.
So, heart check:
Do
you have the faith of the Shunammite woman?
Or, if you know someone grieving, do you
have the compassion of Elisha to comfort
them in their distress?
Deep
Dive
How
did King Ahaziah’s decision to seek guidance
from Baal-Zebub refiect his faith or lack
thereof? What does this teach us about where
we seek counsel in times of trouble?
What
lessons about leadership transitions and
continuing God's work can we learn from
Elijah’s ascension and the passing of his
mantle to Elisha?
What
can Elisha's actions as the new leader teach
us about stepping into new roles with confidence
in God?
What
does this story of defeating Moab teach
us about the importance of seeking and following
godly counsel in our battles?
Refiect
on the widow’s situation and her act of
gathering jars. How does this story illustrate
the principles of faith, obedience, and
God’s provision in our lives?
How
do the Shunammite woman’s actions challenge
us to trust God more deeply and to be more
generous with what we have?
Heavenly
Father, may your name be glorified always.
We
come before You with grateful hearts, thanking
You for the powerful stories and lessons
in 2 Kings 1-4. We are inspired by the faith,
trust, and obedience of Elijah, Elisha,
and the Shunammite woman.
Lord,
we ask for Your help embodying these qualities
in our own lives.
Help
us to seek Your guidance and counsel, just
as Elisha did, and to trust in Your promises,
knowing that You are faithful and true.
When we face transitions or new roles, give
us the confidence to step forward boldly,
trusting that You are with us just as You
were with Elijah and Elisha.
Teach
us to be generous and to serve others selfiessly,
just as the Shunammite woman did. Let our
acts of kindness refiect Your love and bring
glory to Your name. Help us to have faith
that moves mountains and to trust You even
when we do not understand our circumstances.
We
thank You for Your provision and the ways
You meet our needs, often unexpectedly.
Help us always to be grateful and content,
recognizing Your hand in every aspect of
our lives. May we grow in our understanding
of Your Word and Your ways, and may we always
seek to walk in Your truth. Guide us by
Your Holy Spirit and strengthen us in our
faith.
2
Kings introduces us to an army commander
afflicted with leprosy named Naaman. His
young servant girl mentions Elisha's gift,
so Naaman seeks Elisha out for healing.
Naaman
is instructed to bathe in the Jordan River
seven times, and although he initially refuses,
he eventually is convinced this will be
his chance at healing. He submerges himself
seven times and is healed completely with
even younger-looking skin. Naaman immediately
professes faith in Yahweh and denounces
his former false gods.
Elisha's
servant, Gehazi, was loyal and zealous to
his master and went after Naaman to receive
the reward that Elisha refused. Elisha spoke
judgment against his dishonesty, and Gehazi
was struck with the same leprosy Naaman
was cured of, and his descendants would
be cursed forever by it.
2
Kings 6 explains the need for new lodging
for Elisha and those he mentors in the ministry.
An expensive ax head falls into the water,
and Elisha miraculously makes the iron fioat.
Elisha
warns the king of Israel that Syria plans
to attack. His premonitions were informed
to the king of Syria and a plan to capture
Elisha was established. God sends His army
of horses and chariots of fire to protect
Elisha and his men. The army eventually
traveled back to their land, and their king
sent an army back to Samaria and besieged
it, causing a great famine in the land.
The people begin to resort to horrific measures
of their starvation. The king of Israel
is angry at the Lord for allowing this siege
to come upon them.
2
Kings 7 continues the story development
from the previous chapter of the siege of
Samaria.
Elisha
prophesies that their dire conditions will
improve immensely within twenty-four hours.
Four leprous men come upon the Syrian camp
outside the city walls and find it abandoned
because God intercedes on Israel's behalf.
The lepers inform the king of Israel about
the empty camp, and the men of the city
plunder it, replenishing the city.
2
Kings 8 mentions the return of the Shunammite
woman to Samaria, the same woman whom Elisha
raised her son from the dead in 2 Kings
4.
She
had abandoned her land during the famine
and had come to appeal to the king of Israel
for ownership of her family's land once
more. The king agreed and restored her land
to her.
The
king of Syria is struck with illness and
sends a messenger to inquire from Elisha
whether he will live or die. Elisha bitterly
weeps and tells the messenger that the king
will be cured, but he will return home,
assassinate the king, and place himself
on the throne with much bloodshed. Everything
unfolds exactly as Elisha foretold.
Jehoram
is appointed the new king of Judah. During
his wicked reign, he attacked Edom unprovoked,
resulting in continuous strife between the
two nations. Jehoram does not remain king
for long and is replaced by his son upon
death.
HEALING
WATER | 2 Kings 5
Naaman,
a commander of the Syrian army, sought healing
from Elisha for his leprosy. Despite being
a Gentile and a non-believer, he followed
Elisha’s instructions to wash in the Jordan
River seven times and was miraculously healed.
This
act of faith and obedience shows that God’s
power and grace extend beyond His chosen
people.
Naaman’s
healing demonstrated that God can and will
make Himself known to all who seek Him,
regardless of their background. Heart Check.
Are
you willing to trust and obey God, even
when His instructions seem simple or unusal?
GEHAZI
GREED | 2 Kings 5
After
Naaman, a commander from Aram, was healed
of leprosy through Elisha’s intervention,
he offered gifts out of gratitude. Elisha,
however, refused any payment. Despite this,
Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, succumbed to greed.
He secretly pursued Naaman and deceitfully
obtained gifts from him. Gehazi’s actions
were dishonest and a betrayal of the trust
placed in him as a servant of the prophet
Elisha.
As
a servant of Elisha, Gehazi held a position
of responsibility and trust. Because of
this, his greed had more significant implications,
leading to severe consequences. God’s judgment
upon Gehazi was swift and severe—he was
a£licted with Naaman’s leprosy as
a punishment for his deceit and greed.
This
story is a powerful reminder of the destructive
nature of greed and the heightened responsibility
that comes with positions of trust and service.
Heart Check.
Are
you keeping your eyes and heart from the
lustful desire for more, trusting in God's
provision instead?
MINISTRY
OF MIRACLES | 2 Kings 6-7
Elisha’s
ministry was marked by numerous miracles,
showcasing God’s power and care for His
people. From the fioating axe head to the
miraculous provision of food during a famine,
Elisha demonstrated that God can protect
and provide in miraculous ways. One notable
event was when God opened the eyes of Elisha’s
servant to see the host of angels protecting
them, illustrating that God’s protection
is always present, even when unseen. Heart
Check.
Do
you have faith in the unknown and
the miraculous God, trusting that He can
and will protect and provide for you?
POWER
HUNGRY | 2 Kings 6-8
The
famine in Samaria, caused by the Arameans'
siege, was a result of the people's sin
and led to dire circumstances. This situation
teaches us about the consequences of turning
away from God. The people su£ered
greatly due to their disobedience and rejection
of God’s guidance, illustrating the profound
impact of spiritual and moral decay.
Additionally,
the greed for power is exemplified in the
story of Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, who
was murdered by his commander Hazael. This
act of treachery highlights the destructive
nature of greed and the lengths people will
go to attain power. Hazael’s ambition and
deceit led to Ben-Hadad’s death and plunged
Aram into instability and confiict.
Looking
back to World War II, the quest for power
and dominance among nations led to widespread
devastation and loss. Leaders like Adolf
Hitler, driven by an insatiable greed for
territorial expansion and supremacy, orchestrated
war on a scale never seen before. The consequences
were catastrophic, resulting in millions
of deaths and untold suffering across the
globe.
This
historical example illustrates how unchecked
greed for power can lead to profound human
tragedy and moral decay. Heart Check.
How
do you respond ro difficult circumstances-do
you turn to God for guidance and help, or
do you rely on your own means?
Deep
Dive
What
does Naaman’s healing teach us about God’s
inclusivity and willingness to heal those
who seek Him, regardless of their background?
How
did Gehazi’s actions contrast with Elisha’s?
What lessons can we learn about integrity
and the consequences of greed?
Reflect
on the story of the fioating axe head. How
does this miracle demonstrate God’s care
for even the smallest details of our lives?
When
Elisha’s servant’s eyes were opened to see
the host of angels, what does this reveal
about God’s protection? How can this encourage
us in times of fear and uncertainty?
How
did God’s provision during the famine in
Samaria demonstrate His power and mercy?
What can we learn about trusting God in
desperate times?
In
the account of Ben-Hadad and Hazael, how
does the greed for power lead to destruction?
What warnings can we take from this about
the pursuit of power and self-interest?
We
come before You in awe of Your mighty works
as revealed in 2 Kings 5-8.
Your
power to heal, provide, and protect is evident
throughout these stories, reminding us of
Your sovereignty and mercy. Lord, we thank
You for the example of Naaman, who demonstrated
faith and obedience despite being an outsider.
Help
us to trust and obey You fully, even when
Your ways seem strange to us. We ask for
Your forgiveness for the times we have allowed
greed to cloud our judgment, just as Gehazi
did. Teach us to be content with what we
have and to rely on Your provision, knowing
that You will meet our needs.
Lord,
strengthen our faith in Your miraculous
power. Help us to trust that You can and
will protect us, as You did for Elisha and
his servant. Open our eyes to see Your angels
around us and to find comfort in Your constant
presence.
We
lift up those who are in dire circumstances,
like the people of Samaria during the famine.
May they turn to You for help and find hope
and provision in Your mercy.
Guard
our hearts against the greed for power that
led to the downfall of
Ben-Hadad
and Hazael’s betrayal. Help us to seek Your
will above our desires.
Thank
You, Lord, for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.
May we live lives that reflect Your generosity,
gratitude, and contentment.
We
pray all this in the name of Jesus, our
Savior and Lord.
2
Kings 9 records the rising and anointing
of Jehu as the new king of Israel. Elisha
commissions one of his men to anoint Jehu
secretly, and he declares a prophecy from
the Lord that Jehu is to strike down Joram
and assume his throne. Judgment is also
foretold on the wicked Queen Jezebel. Jehu
ensured the death of Joram as the Lord had
instructed. His body was thrown into the
land of the murdered Naboth, the Jezreelite.
Jehu
has Ahaziah, the wicked king of Judah, also
slain, then arrives at Jezreel, where Jezebel
is put to death according to the word of
the Lord.
In
2 Kings 10, Jehu garners supporters to help
ensure no one from the house of Ahab would
be a threat to the newly anointed Jehu.
The sons of Ahab are put to death, as are
the brothers of King Ahaziah of Judah. Jehu
eliminates the worship of Baal from Israel
by executing all priests of Baal and destroying
the entire temple of Baal. Although Jehu
followed the commands of the Lord to eliminate
the evil and wickedness in the land, he
did not turn completely from idolatry and
worship only Yahweh. God promises his sons
will sit on the throne to the fourth generation
before it is taken from them according to
God's judgment. The Lord allows their enemies
to capture the land east of the Jordan River.
Jehu reigns for twenty-eight years, and
his son Jehoahaz succeeds as Israel's next
king.
2
Kings 11 provides more details of the crowning
of Joash from 2 Chronicles 23. In her anger
and grief over the death of her son Ahaziah,
Queen Athaliah puts to death all the royal
heirs and assumes the throne. Jehosheba,
the daughter of King Joram, saves Ahaziah's
son Joash from the same fate and hides him
away with his nurse in the temple of the
Lord. Athaliah reigns wickedly for six years
over Judah until Jehoiada, the priest, secretly
anoints Joash as king and restores the throne
to the house of David. Athaliah finds the
newly anointed king and all the people rejoicing
in the Temple, and Jehoiada, the priest,
has her and her supporters killed. Jehoiada
and the people establish a new covenant
with the Lord and between the king and his
people. The priest and temple of Baal are
destroyed, and Joash becomes the new king
at seven years old.
IS
IT PEACE | 2 Kings 9:17
Asking,
“Is it peace?” was a standard question in
negotiations, but here, we can assume that
Joram is feeling a bit suspicious and probably
insecure. In other words, he has no peace
because of his guilt.
Even
if Jehu had no intention to wipe them out,
Joram would always look over his shoulder
because when guilt exists, the soul cannot
rest. True peace comes from your right standing
with the Lord, knowing that your guilt and
sin have been dealt with and it no longer
has a hold on you. Heart Check.
Is
it peace? Is your spirit at rest today,
knowing that there is no acuser that come
against you?
PROJECTING
PROBLEMS | 2 Kings 9:23
The
interesting thing here is that Joram shouts
“treachery” when he is the true traitor.
This
is one way of discovering your sin—people
who suppress their guilt or sin often accuse
others or judge harshly against the very
thing they are struggling with.
It’s
a sour fruit of self-righteousness. Heart
Check.
Do
you ever project your problems onto others?
SEE
MY ZEAL | 2 Kings 10:16
Here
is where we start to see a bit of a downward
turn in Jehu's life. He’s not only boasting
about his zeal, but he also wants it to
be seen. The moment we want our service
to the Lord to be noticed or applauded is
a good time to check our hearts. Heart Check.
Are
you looking for others to see your zeal
for the Lord? Or are you serving him because
He is worthy?
JOY,
PEACE & QUIET | 2 Kings 11:20
The
Davidic dynasty has been restored, and as
a result, the land is joyous, peaceful,
and quiet.
This
was a mark of God’s blessing according to
His covenant, which will still be the fruit
of God’s blessing in our lives. This doesn’t
mean we don’t have problems, but there is
an unspeakable joy and peace that surpasses
all understanding when we live our lives
in fear of the Lord. We won’t need to make
a lot of noise or draw attention to ourselves.
We
will still be able to laugh without fear
of the future. And we will hear, “Peace,
be still,” in the middle of a storm. Heart
Check.
How
much joy, peace, and quiet do you have in
your life?
Deep
Dive
Why
might Jehu have been chosen to be king?
How did his character align with the ideal
king?
How
can his story be applied to our lives personally
and/or corporately?
What
consequences of evil and righteousness are
seen in these chapters?
Do
we still see these consequences following
wicked leadership today? How might this
be avoided?
What
traits are seen in the life of Jezebel and
Athaliah? How can these be identified in
spiritual warfare?
Compare
Jehoiada’s leadership style to the previous
kings/queens. How is it di£erent?
How are these styles refiected in today’s
political climate?
Heavenly
Father, We thank you for being our one
and only true King.
You
never needed to force your way to the throne—it
was always rightfully yours. Your reign
has always been one of peace, and you maintain
that righteous posture even with us. You
never force yourself upon us and demand
to be worshiped but instead give us the
choice to choose you. So we do that again
today. We choose you, every moment of every
hour, for the rest of our days that we will
walk on this earth. There are no rivals
that stand against your great name.
Thank
you, Jesus, for the peace that rests upon
our hearts. Because of what you’ve done,
we do not carry the weight of our sin, the
burdens of our past, or the worries of tomorrow.
We have a peace that the world will never
be able to o£er us, no matter how
much we may strive to obtain it. We have
a joy unspeakable that carries us through
the anguish of life. Thank you, that we
can put our trust in you, as you drive the
chariot of our lives that leads to our true
home. Anything we face here on earth is
temporary. It may be a bumpy road, but it
will soon come to pass, as you bring us
into glory.
Thank
you for the reminder today that you are
sovereign, anointing Godly leaders but also
appointing others who may be tools for your
purpose. We will do our part to choose wisely,
leaning on your discernment and not our
emotions or what we have been listening
to in the echo chambers of the world. Your
voice is the only commentating we want to
hear on the day we cast our votes. Guide
our hands, hearts, and minds, and may we
walk away with peace, knowing that you are
in control.
Your
purposes will come to pass. But we continue
to pray for our nations and for wise Godly
leadership. We pray for strong leadership
that will not only be a symbol of strength
but also one that will protect and defend
in the right way. We pray for freedom and
not oppression. May liberties not be stripped
away but instead upheld. We pray for your
heart to reign over the hearts of our leaders
and our people.
May
the Baals and altars of today be destroyed
and toppled. Do what you need to do to remove
the high places of wickedness.
They
may not be as obvious as we think, so I
pray that we will be wise in staying away
from any such thing. We know that it lurks
around every corner, trying to lure us in,
so keep us vigilant. I pray that we will
be wise as serpents but gentle as doves
as we navigate this life.
If
any ties are linking us to anything that
is ungodly, we renounce it today and loose
those ties in the name of Jesus. If we need
to throw down any sort of manipulative or
controlling behavior that mirrors that of
Jezebel, we cast it out today.
Where
we see others who may be under that infiuence,
we ask, Holy Spirit, for your power to overcome.
Touch our hearts in a mighty way today and
bring us closer to you.
Give
us clean hands and pure hearts. And may
we be full of zeal for you, not for any
sort of applause or validation, but simply
because you deserve all the glory and because
we love you. We know that when we carry
that spirit of joy, peace, and quiet zeal,
it will infect others in the best way.
So
let your glory fill the earth today, and
let it begin with us.
2
Kings 12 recalls the accomplishments of
Jehoash (Joash) during his reign over Judah.
He
was a righteous ruler under the guidance
of Jehoiada, the priest. Jehoash commissions
the repair of the Temple, which was damaged
from neglect and Athaliah’s reign. A collection
offering is taken from worshipers in
the Temple. To avoid war, Jehoash sends
tribute money to the king of Syria. His
untimely end comes when his servants conspire
against him and have him murdered.
In
2 Kings 13, the Lord becomes angry with
Israel's wickedness and delivers them over
to the king of Syria, and the Lord brings
them out when Jehoahaz pleads to the Lord
for deliverance.
The
people do not put away their idolatry and
continue worshiping pagan gods. Jehoahaz
dies and is succeeded by his son Joash,
who eventually walks in the way of his father's
wickedness. His son Jeroboam reigns after
him. Elisha becomes ill, and his death becomes
imminent, but before his death, Joash has
a final meeting with Elisha. He is told
to attack Syria and bring deliverance to
the people.
When
Elisha dies and is buried, a man is brought
to life unexpectedly when his body touches
the bones of Elisha. Syria oppresses Israel
once more, and as Elisha had prophesied,
Joash defeats Syria three times.
2
Chronicles 24 mentions the forty-year reign
of Joash. He was a righteous ruler under
his mentor Jehoiada and oversaw the repair
of the Temple of the Lord.
When
Jehoiada dies, Joash begins in wickedness
when he listens to the foolish counsel from
the leaders of Judah, and idolatry is resumed
in that land. Zechariah is raised up by
the Lord to chastise Joash. His message
is rejected, and they conspire to murder
him.
The
Lord sends judgment on Judah because they
killed his prophet, and Joash is murdered
by his servants.
NEGLECT
| 2 Kings 12:4-8
Over
the last 14 years, I've been a mother and
a wife, serving others continuously. In
this process, I've neglected my own body,
my temple, which should be a living sacrifice
to God. It's easy to blame this neglect
on my responsibilities, but I must be honest
and ask myself if I've turned away from
God in some aspects of my life.
In
my small group at church, we’re doing a
Bible study by Priscilla Shirer called "Breathe,"
which focuses on rest. This study has convinced
me to be more disciplined, while others
in the group struggle to do less because
their discipline and work ethic have become
idols.
We
can't let our lives swing like a pendulum
from one extreme to the other—from neglecting
our bodies because we’re serving others
to working so hard that rest becomes impossible.
Both ends of this spectrum dishonor God.
Scripture
shows us that the temple didn't fall into
disrepair by the actions of one person alone,
nor was it rebuilt by one person. It took
a community to let go of idols and contribute
their time, money, talent, and treasures.
Similarly, we must avoid letting our modern-day
idols, like the desire for material goods
or unhealthy habits, lead to the neglect
of our bodies. Heart Check.
Are
you neglecting your body, the holy temple
that should be a living sacrifice to God,
due to serving others or because of your
own idols?
TRUST
| 2 Kings 12:15
In
2 Kings 12:15, we see a remarkable example
of trust and integrity. The overseers responsible
for the work on the Lord’s temple were so
honest that no accounting was required from
them. This high integrity and trustworthiness
is a powerful testimony to their character.
Here's
a little peek into the partnership Kanoe
and I have built here at Heart Dive. I've
been covering many episodes so she can rest
and spend time with her family for the first
time in over 500 days.
When
we spoke about the episodes being covered,
she shared that she’s been able to rest
fully without worrying about comments, emails,
or the content of the videos. She trusts
me to steward the ministry well, let the
Holy Spirit lead, and honor the ministry
that the Lord has built.
This
verse highlights that there are still people
of integrity whom you can fully trust to
complete a project honestly and diligently.
Heart Check.
How
can we become more disciplined and integrity-driven
so that others do not hesitate to give us
full control of a project?
FINISH
WELL | 2 Kings 13
In
2 Kings 13, we learn about finishing well
in our faith journey. As the Apostle Paul
mentions in his letters, "I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
We aim to hear, "Well done, good and
faithful servant" from our Heavenly
Father (Matthew 25:21).
This
chapter tells us about a king who started
well under the guidance of a godly priest.
From a young age, he was protected and taught
to honor and glorify the Lord. However,
as he grew older, he could have finished
better. He strayed from his faith and was
not buried with the kings.
This
is similar to modern-day situations when
young people leave home for college. Many
active members of church and youth groups
may drift away from the church, partying
and indulging in worldly behaviors. This
slippery slope can lead to idolatry and
apostasy, turning away from the teachings
they received.
However,
this does not have to be a permanent state.
Like the prodigal son, we can return to
God, seeking mentors, fellowship, and true
worship. Heart Check.
Are
you running the race well and keeping the
faith? If not, what do you need to let go
or turn away from to hear, "Well done,
my good and faithful servant"?
HOLY
SPIRIT LED | 2 Chronicles 24:20
In
2 Chronicles 24:20, the Spirit of God clothed
Zechariah, empowering him to speak God's
truth boldly to the people.
Refiecting
on this, I remember attending a retreat
where I bought a shirt as a reminder of
the washing of the Holy Spirit.
Every
time I am "clothed” in this sweatshirt,
it reminds me to trust in the Lord and share
His word boldly, just as Zechariah did.
Heart Check.
Are
you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and
empower you to share God's word boldly,
even in the face of opposition.
Deep
Dive
How
can we guard against our spiritual revivals
becoming short-lived and shallow, ensuring
lasting transformation?
In
what ways does good counsel contribute to
strong leadership, and how can we seek and
apply such counsel in our lives?
How
does weak leadership contribute to turning
others away from God, and what steps can
we take to strengthen our own leadership
qualities?
What
lessons can we learn from the assassination
of a leader, and how does it refiect people's
intolerance of poor leadership?
What
does the act of killing the son of a person
who raised and rebuked you reveal about
character, and how can we foster integrity
in our own lives?
How
can we respond positively to exhortation
and rebuke, using it to grow rather than
be hindered by it?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you, Lord, for never giving
up on us and always being willing to deliver
us.
Your
steadfast love and faithfulness are beyond
our comprehension, and we are deeply grateful
for Your endless patience and mercy. You
continually offer us new beginnings and
fresh opportunities to draw closer to You,
no matter how many times we falter or stray
from Your path.
Lord,
we pray that we do not have a shallow faith,
easily swayed by the challenges and distractions
of this world. Help us to seek deep, meaningful
relationships with You and with fellow believers.
Teach us the importance of fellowship, that
we may grow together, sharpen each other,
and support one another through life's trials.
Surround us with mentors who can guide us,
offer wise counsel, and help us to stay
grounded in Your truth.
In
our walk with You, remind us to share our
burdens with trusted friends and mentors,
knowing that we are not meant to carry them
alone. Give us the humility to ask for help
and the compassion to offer it in return.
Lord,
we recognize that our bodies are temples
of Your Holy Spirit, and we ask for the
discipline to care for them as such. Help
us to live healthily, both physically and
spiritually, so that we can serve You effectively
and share Your gospel with others. Let us
not neglect the care of our bodies, understanding
that this is part of our worship and honor
to You.
Teach
us, Father, to immerse ourselves in Your
Word and to nurture our faith daily. Let
Your Scriptures be a lamp to our feet and
a light to our path, guiding us in every
decision and every step.
Strengthen
our resolve to remain steadfast in our faith,
even when faced with trials and temptations.
Remind us that our spiritual health is crucial,
and neglecting it can lead to a life disconnected
from Your grace and truth.
Help
us, Lord, to run the race set before us
with endurance and faithfulness. When we
stumble and fall, remind us that it is not
the end.
You
do not condemn us, but instead, You offer
forgiveness and the strength to get back
up and continue forward. Fill our hearts
with the assurance of Your love and the
confidence that we can always return to
You.
As
we strive to live lives that are pleasing
to You, let our ultimate goal be to hear
You say, "Well done, good and faithful
servant." May this be the driving force
behind all our actions, decisions, and relationships.
Let our lives be a testament to Your glory,
and may we always seek to honor You in everything
we do.
Thank
you, Lord, for the gift of Your unfailing
love and for the promise of eternal life
with You. May we live each day with a heart
full of gratitude, eyes fixed on You, and
a spirit willing to obey Your will. We pray
all these things in the mighty name of Jesus.
2
Kings 12 recalls the accomplishments of
Jehoash (Joash) during his reign over Judah.
He
was a righteous ruler under the guidance
of Jehoiada, the priest. Jehoash commissions
the repair of the Temple, which was damaged
from neglect and Athaliah’s reign. A collection
o£ering is taken from worshipers in
the Temple. To avoid war, Jehoash sends
tribute money to the king of Syria. His
untimely end comes when his servants conspire
against him and have him murdered.
In
2 Kings 13, the Lord becomes angry with
Israel's wickedness and delivers them over
to the king of Syria, and the Lord brings
them out when Jehoahaz pleads to the Lord
for deliverance.
The
people do not put away their idolatry and
continue worshiping pagan gods. Jehoahaz
dies and is succeeded by his son Joash,
who eventually walks in the way of his father's
wickedness. His son Jeroboam reigns after
him. Elisha becomes ill, and his death becomes
imminent, but before his death, Joash has
a final meeting with Elisha. He is told
to attack Syria and bring deliverance to
the people.
When
Elisha dies and is buried, a man is brought
to life unexpectedly when his body touches
the bones of Elisha. Syria oppresses Israel
once more, and as Elisha had prophesied,
Joash defeats Syria three times.
2
Chronicles 24 mentions the forty-year reign
of Joash. He was a righteous ruler under
his mentor Jehoiada and oversaw the repair
of the Temple of the Lord.
When
Jehoiada dies, Joash begins in wickedness
when he listens to the foolish counsel from
the leaders of Judah, and idolatry is resumed
in that land. Zechariah is raised up by
the Lord to chastise Joash. His message
is rejected, and they conspire to murder
him.
The
Lord sends judgment on Judah because they
killed his prophet, and Joash is murdered
by his servants.
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT | 2 Kings 14:1-14
2
Kings 14:1-14 tells us about King Amaziah
of Judah, who did what was right in the
eyes of the Lord. However, being a godly
man doesn’t necessarily make one a great
leader or military commander. This passage
highlights that while Amaziah followed God,
he faced significant leadership failures.
Consider
Saul, the first king of Israel. God chose
Saul, and he started his reign with humility
and duty. However, power and greed took
root in his heart, leading to his downfall.
Saul’s zeal for God was genuine initially,
but it did not equip him to sustain godly
leadership.
Another
example is David, who, despite being a skilled
leader and having a close relationship with
God, fell into serious sins that had severe
consequences.
Modern
examples like Winston Churchill and Richard
Nixon show that strengths in one area of
leadership do not always translate to others.
Even respected leaders can falter without
continual dependence on God and accountability.
Being
a leader requires more than initial zeal
or good intentions; it involves growth,
learning, and reliance on God. Leaders must
guard their hearts against pride and greed,
stay humble and seek God’s guidance in all
decisions. Heart Check.
Are
you confusing zeal for God with the idea
that equips you for all roles, or are you
seeking His guidance and growth in your
leadership journey? How can you ensure that
your heart remains humble and your leadership
aligned with God's will?
HALF-HEARTED
| 2 Chronicles 25:2
Amaziah
began his reign at a young age and did what
was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not
with a whole heart. This makes me refiect
on my own life.
Have
I done things that seem right but held back
part of my heart from God? Keeping even
a small piece from Him can lead to stumbling
in the dark.
Amaziah’s
story reminds us that partial devotion isn’t
enough. True faith means surrendering our
whole heart to God. Holding back any part
can lead to missteps and missed blessings.
Heart Check.
Are
you holding back any part of your heart
from God, or are you fully surrending to
His guidance?
PRIDE
| 2 Chronicles 25
Proverbs
warn, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear
the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs
3:7). Isaiah writes, “Woe to those who are
wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their
own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21).
These
words should give us serious pause. Amaziah
became proud after his military success
over the Edomites, not recognizing the power
of the Lord. His overconfidence led to a
civil war with his Hebrew cousins in the
north and ended in a humiliating defeat.
He
trusted his opinions and behaviors, ignoring
the prophets and even ridiculing them. We
must be careful not to make the same mistakes.
A
modern example is Blockbuster's downfall.
The company's leaders ignored advice to
shift to a digital model, dismissing the
internet and streaming services. Their overconfidence
in their established model led to their
defeat by Netfiix and eventual bankruptcy.
Heart Check.
Are
you open to wise counsel, or do you rely
soley on your own understanding?
Deep
Dive
How
can we apply the importance of listening
to godly counsel today?
How
does the availability of the Holy Spirit
to all believers today contrast with the
Old Testament times when the Spirit was
given to specific individuals like prophets?
How should this shape our understanding
of guidance and empowerment?
What
lessons can we learn from Amaziah's reign
about the importance of preparation and
development in leadership roles? How can
we ensure we are properly equipped for God's
responsibilities?
How
can we guard our hearts against pride and
remain humble, especially after experiencing
success or victory?
What
are the dangers of internal confiict within
the church or community, and how can we
work towards unity and reconciliation?
What
does it mean to follow God with your whole
heart? Identify practical steps to ensure
that our devotion to God is complete and
not divided.
Heavenly
Father, thank you for your unfailing love
and mercy that we experience anew each day.
We
come before you with hearts humbled and
grateful for your guidance and grace in
our lives.
Lord,
we acknowledge the wisdom of Charles Spurgeon's
words about true repentance.
Help
us, O God, to turn away not only from the
outward acts of sin but from the very love
and allure of sin itself. Grant us the strength
to see sin for what it truly is—a poison
disguised as sweetness—and to turn from
it wholeheartedly, guided by the conviction
of your Spirit.
Forgive
us, Lord, for the times we have provoked
you to anger through our disobedience and
neglect of your commandments.
We
repent of our sins, not seeking temporary
relief from consequences but desiring a
deep transformation of our hearts and minds.
May our repentance be genuine, purging us
from within and glorifying you in every
aspect of our lives.
Help
us, Lord, to examine ourselves honestly
and with humility.
May
our repentance be marked by a sincere desire
to bring glory to your name in all that
we think, say, and do. Let it not be superficial
but a true turning away from sin and a turning
towards your righteousness.
We
thank you, Lord, for your patience and unfailing
love that allows us to come to you in repentance.
May our lives be a testament to your grace
and may we walk in your ways all the days
of our lives.
Jonah
1 begins with the Lord commissioning the
prophet Jonah to speak to the city of Ninevah
to repentance despite His plan to destroy
Ninevah.
Jonah
rebels against God and fiees by ship in
the opposite direction to Tarshish. The
Lord brings on an extreme storm, and the
ship's crew are afraid and begin to pray
to their gods.
Jonah
finally tells them his God brought on the
storm and tells them to throw him overboard,
and the storm will stop. The men reluctantly
do as he asks, and the storm immediately
stops. The entire crew makes a vow to the
Lord and sacrifices to Him as the One True
God.
Jonah
2 continues the story with a great fish
the Lord sends to save Jonah from the waters.
As Jonah is being transported to Ninevah,
he spends three days and three nights in
prayer to the Lord inside the belly of the
fish. His prayer is praise, lamentation,
and the desire for full commitment to the
Lord. The Lord speaks to the great fish,
and it releases Jonah from his captivity
onto the beach.
Jonah
3 takes a surprising turn as Jonah heads
to Ninevah to preach repentance to the entire
city. He preaches the Lord's prophecy of
destruction in forty days, and after all
his attempts to avoid coming to Ninevah,
the city's people believe in Jonah. They
repent from their evil ways and begin worshiping
the Lord, and He hears their repentance
and holds His judgment on them.
In
Jonah 4, Jonah is displeased that the Lord
decides to spare Ninevah. He speaks of his
anger to the Lord, and the Lord raises a
plant and withers it to humble Jonah to
understand how much He cares for all humankind
to come to know and worship Him.
NINEVEH
OR TARSHISH | Jonah 1:1-3
The
Bible doesn’t state here why Jonah fled,
but we can only imagine that Jonah did not
want to go to this thriving, powerful city
and let them know that they were wicked
when they felt blessed in their prosperity.
This
was a difficult task!
Others
say he may not have wanted to go because
he did not want Nineveh to escape the judgment
of God and walk away scott-free. This is
the idea of loving your enemies; Jonah may
not have wanted to do it. While it’s easy
to be quick to point the finger at Jonah,
in doing so, we have to look at the other
four fingers that point back to us because
we are all, in a sense, Jonahs. We are all
called to go into the world and preach the
gospel, meaning we must call people to repentance.
If we skip over that part, we will also
be fieeing Nineveh.
This
doesn’t mean we go into restaurants and
begin screaming, “Repent!” but doing nothing
is like jumping on the ship to Tarshish.
Heart Check.
Are
you heading to Nineveh or Tarshish? Are
you obeying the Lord or fleeing from what
He is asking you to do?
SLEEPY
CHRISTIAN | Jonah 1:5
This
brings to mind when the disciples encountered
a storm in the middle of the sea, and Jesus
was asleep.
But
this isn’t the same kind of restful peace
that Jesus had in the middle of a storm.
This is careless sleep.
Jonah
went below deck where he wouldn’t see the
potential danger or problems, nor would
the people be able to see him. We can do
this as Christians, where we “hideout” or
“fiy under the radar,” doing the bare minimum
just below the deck.
We
might go to church and maybe even pray,
all while turning a blind eye to the issues
that surround us. We may say that we are
awake because we talk about Jesus, walk
with Jesus, laugh with Jesus, and even think
about Him, but the question is, are we really
awake?
We
can all walk, talk, and laugh in our sleep.
We can even do Bible study with one eye
open. But being awake is being alert and
steadfast in your determination to stay
awake and get things done. It’s a di£erent
level of commitment. The Bible constantly
calls us to awaken and rise up, and I believe
it is because the Lord knows our a£inity
for sleep and laziness. Heart Check.
Are
you awake? Or are you a sleepy Christian
who is laying low below deck?
BLOWING
WINDS | Jonah 1:12
Here,
we see Jonah confessing and likely repenting.
He knows that this storm came because of
his disobedience. Sometimes, storms will
be sent our way to awaken us out of our
rebellion.
But
we will also see that the Lord loves Jonah
too much to let him go. This storm is intended
to bring him safely back to port. Sometimes,
this is what it takes to whip us into shape.
If you’ve ever seen cypress trees in Northern
California along the coast—they’re fiat-topped
evergreen trees shaped by strong winds.
And the harder the winds blow, the deeper
their roots grow.
We
can also be strengthened by storms if we
acknowledge the One who is sovereign over
them. When the winds blow, we can hunker
down and dig in our roots… or be toppled.
Heart Check.
What
do you do when the tempest begins to rage?
Do you dig or blow over?
CHANGING
HEARTS | Jonah 4:1-2
Here,
we see Jonah expressing his anger over Nineveh's
repentance.
His
true colors show that he did not feel that
Nineveh deserved forgiveness.
But
if he had the right perspective, he would
know that no one deserves God’s mercy and
compassion, including Jonah, to whom the
Lord had mercifully protected, provided,
and called.
Our
greatest human need is God's forgiveness,
and this is not limited to a certain nation
or creed. Jesus died for all people. Those
who are truly spiritually mature will understand
this and be thankful when others come to
repentance. How quickly Jonah forgot the
mercy that He had just received. Heart Check.
How
do you respond whan an "unlikely"
person has a chabge of heart? Are you cynical
of their salvation? Whose heart can God
potentially change through you?
Deep
Dive
In
what ways can you relate to Jonah?
What
does the storm represent and how can this
be applied to our lives?
Compare
the sailors’ reaction to Jonah’s attitude.
How do they refiect the understanding of
God?
How
is God’s sovereignty on display throughout
these chapters? Does it challenge or uphold
your understanding of it?
How
does Jonah’s prayer refiect his heart for
God? How does it di£er from his actions
that surround it?
How
does the response of Nineveh compare to
modern responses to words of warning? Are
there modern examples of drastic repentance
by communities or nations?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your mercy and great
love.
Thank
you for never giving up on us when we have
run away, wrestled for power, or even become
demanding of our own selfish ways. Thank
you for continuing to pursue us regardless.
We
are so grateful for the reminder today that
when we do rebel, your purpose will still
prevail because you are sovereign over all.
But for us, it will generally lead to chaos,
rather than peace. That is not your best
nor is it your desire for us. Jesus, you
came to give us peace and to leave it with
us. So I pray that we will submit to your
will for our lives, knowing that even when
our hearts are a little reluctant, if we
obey, the result will be far greater than
if we resist.
I
pray that you will help us to identify the
Nineveh in our own lives—that one thing
that we don’t want to touch—the one person
that we don’t want to even try to reconcile
with. Show us where we may be running from
your calling and I pray that you will give
us the strength and know how to come safely
back before the tempest blows.
We
see how disobedience, sin, or rebellion
can and will often a£ect innocent
bystanders. Forgive us where we may have
played a part in the downfall of others.
But I pray that as you lift us up, that
there will be an even greater revival of
your glory that is seen through our restoration.
Your power and authority always prevails,
and we are so grateful, for we know that
there is nothing that we can do that will
mess up your plans. We may delay it, but
your will is always done.
If
we have tried to skirt the consequences
of our actions or run from any responsibilities,
help us to face it with courage. It may
be a little painful to deal with, but in
the end, the results will be better than
anything we could ever do in our own selfish
way.
Thank
you that there is never a situation too
hopeless for you to intervene. Whether in
the belly of a fish or in the middle of
the sea, you hear every desperate cry of
our hearts. You answer us when we call from
that despair. Your mercy and grace is unending,
especially when we turn back to you in repentance.
There is no one who is beyond your saving
grace.
If
there is anyone who feels as though they
have been cast into the deep or in the heart
of the seas, with the waves crashing over
them or the winds billowing around them,
I pray that they will turn their hope and
their eyes to you. Raise them up out of
the depths of the pit as they seek your
face. I pray that their faith will be strengthened
and that their prayers will never cease,
as they understand and declare that salvation
belongs to you. You are the only one who
can and will deliver.
Thank
you for giving us second chances over and
again when we do sincerely come back to
you. We have witnessed the transformative
power of a single word from you, just as
Jonah’s word to Nineveh brought an entire
city to repentance. Whether it’s one person
or 600,000, all of heaven rejoices when
there is salvation. So I pray that you will
show us where we can speak a word of encouragement
or evangelism.
We
don’t necessarily need to even worry about
the outcome—our call is to plant the seed,
knowing that you will water it. Show us
where we can be instruments in the revival
of our own communities and nations. Give
us missionary hearts and may we step out
in faith to deliver hope to the lost. We
don’t need to have grand speeches, but rather
simple hearts that are willing to listen
and obey.
That’s
where it starts, so we are here to say,
“Use me, Lord.” It’s the least we can do
in response to your profound love and mercy
that you have so generously given to us
all. Your compassion for all people is on
display. May we see them and love them the
same.
2
Kings 15 brings us to Azariah (Uzziah),
king of Judah, who was sixteen years old
when he was crowned over the land. His reign
is seen as righteous, with wise guidance
in the ways of the Lord.
However,
he allows the people to continue worshipping
and sacrificing to their pagan gods. He
becomes a leper towards the end of his life,
and his son assumes the role of judge over
Judah when his 52-year reign ends.
During
the reign of Azariah, five kings will reign
over Israel.
Zechariah,
Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah are
characterized as evil, and the Lord cuts
their reigns short.
When
Azariah dies, his son Jotham succeeds him
on the throne. He follows in his father's
righteous rulings at age twenty-five and
allows the people to worship their gods.
He is credited with building the Upper Gate
at the Temple and reigned for sixteen years.
In
2 Chronicles 26, the reign of Uzziah from
2 Kings 15 is given in detail.
He
reigned righteously in the Lord's eyes and
prospered in war against the Philistines,
Arabians, Meunites, and Ammonites.
The
land of Judah prospers, and strong defenses
are built under Uzziah and a vast army to
defend. He eventually boasts of his successes
and disobeys the Lord, believing he can
burn the incense in the Temple of the Lord.
He
is immediately struck with leprosy and lives
in isolation for the rest of his life as
a leper.
ROLE
MODELS | 2 Kings 15:4
Here,
we see Azariah's half-hearted submission,
like that of his father, Amaziah, and grandfather,
Joash. They all failed to remove the pagan
high places of worship.
These
were his first role models, and he followed
in their footsteps in the good and the bad.
When we become Christians, we have the greatest
role model that ever lived, and we are no
longer limited by the earthly ones we had
growing up.
We
are called to a higher standard that requires
us to rise above the circumstances and limitations
in our lives. This means allowing Christ
to take our ashes and turn them into something
beautiful rather than allowing ourselves
to continue to sit in the soot of our past.
Heart Check.
Who
are your role models? Are yoy sitting in
the soot or rising above and allowing Christ
to be your example?
DEALS
WITH THE ENEMY | 2 Kings 15:20
Here,
we see Menahem's different tactics at play.
He
is paying off the enemy to keep him at bay.
And even though it “worked” for the time
being, it didn’t have a lasting effect on
Israel, as they will eventually be taken
over by Assyria.
Making
a deal with the enemy is never a good idea,
no matter how good it may seem, because
sadly, the results of that deal may not
be seen until it’s too late or until it
a£ects later generations.
The
better option would’ve been to turn to the
Lord and allow Him to protect and vindicate
them. Heart Check.
Are
you making a deal with the enemy to keep
him at bay? Or do you turn to the Lord when
you are on the brink of attack?
WHAT
ISN’T YOURS | 2 Chronicles 26:16-18
The
sad thing here is that Uzziah had a successful
reign for decades. He did well until the
end.
And
it all came down to discontentment and wanting
more, and he took what wasn’t his.
The
Lord has really worked on my heart in this
area because I have a monkey mind where
I want to do everything. I want to DIY—do
it yourself rather than have someone else
do it.
It
would happen so often that the Lord would
bless me in one area, and I would immediately
begin looking in someone else’s lane to
see if I could also accomplish what they
were doing.
I
used to call it ambition, but my husband
made me realize that the root of this was
discontentment and pride. I was trying to
take what wasn’t mine and was always anxious
because of it.
But
when I stayed in my lane and began running
after the Lord with all my might, the peace
that came with that far surpassed any temporary
glory I used to get from spikes of accomplishment.
Heart Check.
Are
you trying to reach and take what isn't
yours? Do you see where the Lord has blessed
you, and are staying in your lane?
Deep
Dive
Compare
the di£erent kings in Israel and Judah.
What similarities and/or di£erences
do they have in their leadership style?
How did it a£ect the outcome of their
reign?
What
could’ve changed the outcomes?
What
would our “high places” look like today?
How
is the Lord’s divine judgment on display
in these chapters? Does it continue today?
How
can we better handle political transition
using Biblical principles?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your divine
help in our lives, especially in times of turmoil.
It’s
never a matter of if but when we will face
a di£icult season or transition, so
I pray that we will be prepared before we
enter so that we do not get blindsided.
Your
sovereignty and justice remain unshakeable
to this day, and we will continue to trust
that you are well aware and in control of
all that is happening in the world. When
we feel discouraged by our lack of understanding,
I pray that you will strengthen our faith
and spiritual eyesight to see your hand
in every situation. When there is ungodly
leadership at the helm, help us to remember
that you reign over all, and every nation,
every tribe, and every tongue is subject
to you, our God Most High.
We
see rebellion all around us, conspiracies
fiying left and right, and even modern-day
idolatry driven by the love for fame, infiuence,
and power. I pray that you will keep us
focused on you and your purpose for our
lives so we do not go
o£-roading
into someone else’s territory. We want to
stay in our own lane and steward the blessings
you have poured into our lives. And when
we are blessed or even prosperous, please
keep our hearts humble, and may they never
succumb to the fiesh and pride of life.
We
pray for our nations once again and ask
for spiritual revival to take place. We
know that when your people humble themselves,
and pray, and seek your face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then you will hear from
heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their
land. Oh, how we cry out for this to take
place. We are in dire need of healing upon
our land.
We
are in desperate need of you, so I pray
that hearts will turn to you today. One
by one, little by little, so that we do
not get picked o£ by the enemy. Show
us the high places that need removal, and
if we have the ability to tear it down,
give us the strength and courage to do so.
If
there are any generational or cyclical sins
in our lives, may they be broken right now
in the name of Jesus!
Stop
any violence in its tracks, and do not let
wickedness prevail. You see it all before
it even takes place, so stop anyone who
may try to come against us. I pray that
we will not bargain with the enemy but rather
turn to you for vindication and deliverance.
Show
us how we can be better role models and
promoters of faithfulness and obedience
to you. Help us to see where we may be falling
short in our own personal faith so that
we can be a living testimony of your transformative
power. We want to honor you for the rest
of our days, finishing well, knowing that
we will hear the words, “Well done, my good
and faithful servant.”
Isaiah
1 is the first chapter in a series of visions
and prophecies that the Lord sends to the
prophet Isaiah concerning Israel's northern
and southern kingdoms during the periods
described in 2 Kings 15-21 and 2 Chronicles
26-33. In this chapter, God addresses Judah's
persistent rebellion despite His faithful
provision and numerous attempts to correct
their behavior. Even when they cry out to
Him and worship, their actions lack genuine
repentance and reverence. The Lord commands
them to fully repent and turn towards Him
before He no longer withholds His judgment.
Additionally, God chastises Judah's leadership
for their lack of justice and morality,
indicating that judgment will be the means
to lead them back to repentance and redemption.
Isaiah
2 contains a prophecy about the Messiah
and His work in the last days. The coming
Messiah will bring peace to the land, eliminating
war under His reign. The people are challenged
to live as if the Messiah's reign is already
in their hearts and minds. The chapter also
provides a detailed account of their sins
and warns of the coming Day of Judgment
for their disobedience.
Isaiah
3 depicts a nation under God's judgment,
experiencing scarcity of essential resources
such as food, water, and e£ective
leadership. The Lord warns Judah of impending
judgment by highlighting their sins, including
neglecting the poor and the lack of humility
and prudence among their women. The prophecy
also forewarns judgment upon the daughters
of Zion.
Isaiah
4 continues from the judgment on the daughters
of Zion described in Isaiah 3. There will
be a shortage of men, leading women to make
unwise marital choices to avoid being without
a husband. During this time of su£ering,
the promise of the Messiah becomes greatly
desired as people look forward to a society
marked by holiness, peace, security, and
the cleansing of sins. The Lord's presence
will be as evident as it was during the
days of wandering in the desert.
VISIONARY
| Isaiah 1:1
Isaiah
was a visionary—he could see things that
others couldn’t.
As
Christians, we, too, are visionaries. We
see beyond the scope of what the world sees.
We see beyond this life into eternity. This
is what gives us hope. Some people call
it blind faith, but the truth is that faith
isn’t blind. Faith is what gives us sight
into the unknown. Heart Check.
What
can you see that others can't? Do you have
a vision of the future? Are you helping
others to see?
WASH
YOURSELF | Isaiah 1:15-16
When
we hear “Wash yourself,” human logic says
to scrub o£ the dirt from yourself.
But according to Isaiah, washing goes beyond
self. He says we must remove evil, stop
doing evil things, seek justice (which means
making things right with others), rebuke
oppression or oppressors, and defend the
weak. Heart Check.
What
area may need some scrubbing? Is there something
that needs to be removed from your life?
Someone you need to make things right with?
Someone who needs loving correction? Or
someone you can help?
SOUND
REASONING | Isaiah 1:18
Your
translation may read, “Come now, let us
dispute together…” Whether you are disputing
or reasoning with God, either way, if you
are doing so with the right heart and intentions,
it will lead to submission and repentance,
because we can’t win an argument with God.
We
may walk away feeling like we spoke our
minds and had our say, but at the end of
the day, we will be left feeling empty and
sorrowful once again.
Or
if we truly reason with him, again, He wins
because He is for us. He is the truth. He
is love. And love wins in the battle of
evil.
Reasoning
doesn’t mean that we argue with the Lord—it
means we give Him sound, spiritual reasons
for why we are asking for what we do. What
will begin to happen is that truth and wisdom
from above will take over when we lean not
on our understanding and instead reason
from the principles of His Word. That’s
how we get peace. Heart Check.
Are
you reasoning with the Lord? Do you have
sound, spirtiual reasons for what you say,
do, and ask for?
DILUTED
FAITH | Isaiah 1:22
Isaiah
is saying here that their strength has become
polluted like unrefined silver, and their
faith has become diluted like watered-down
wine. They were selling themselves to other
gods and committing spiritual adultery,
which was breaking the covenant with God
as they made something else more important
than their service to Him.
This
can happen to us when success or money precedes
our desire to serve or go to church. We
start strong with excitement, devoting our
time and energy, but before we know it,
serving feels more like work.
And
if we’re going to work, we may as well get
paid for it, right?
Before
we know it, we’re back in the grind and
no longer willing to sacrifice for Him,
and we completely lose our joy.
We
can even be outwardly religious while still
committing spiritual adultery in our hearts.
Anytime something stands in the way of our
complete devotion and allegiance to Christ,
our faith will begin to become watered down.
Heart Check.
Is
your faith diluted or polluted? Has it become
impure or watered down in any way? Are other
things taking precedence over your devotion
to Him?
MOUNTAIN
CLIMBER | Isaiah 2:2
Here,
we see that elevation matters to the Lord.
He doesn’t want the temple to be rebuilt
in any ol’ place. It’s built on the highest
point, above the hills.
And
we, too, are called to build our house upon
the mount. Why?
Because
the Word was given on Mt. Sinai, Moses was
able to gain a new heavenly perspective
when he was on Mt. Pisgah, Elijah called
down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel, transformations
happened on the Mt. of Transfiguration,
Jesus prayed at the Mt. of Olives, and of
course the greatest sacrifice was made for
us on Calvary.
Our
lives should be built in this manner. Some
get saved and call it a day. God wants to
take us to higher places, but He won’t take
us any higher than we are willing to climb
with Him. Heart Check.
Are
you hanging out in the hills, or are you
a mountain climber, going to higher elevations?
WALK
IN LIGHT | Isaiah 2:5
Isaiah
is like, “Look, I know those latter days
sound pretty incredible, but you don’t have
to wait—you can walk in the light right
now!”
These
days, light was a metaphor for the Law,
illuminating the path to everlasting life
(Psalm 119:105). The message remains for
us today. We are not subject to a depressing,
discouraging, or dark life. We have the
Light of the World, the Word made fiesh,
living inside us.
If
Isaiah were here right now, in front of
us, he would tell us the same thing: “Get
up! Step into the light!”
Some
of us choose to under-row our way to heaven—we
are stuck in the lower decks of depression
and despair instead of crying out, seeking
help, and accepting the invitation to the
first-class seat that Jesus has for us if
we allow Him to steer the ship. And sometimes,
that first step is the hardest and takes
the most effort. Heart Check.
What
brings darkness into your life? What gets
you down? And what is keeping you from rising
up out of it and walking in the light?
BIBLICAL
FASHION | Isaiah 3:16-23
They
had some pretty good shopping malls ( just
kidding).
However,
the women are described as vain and caught
up in luxury and image, and because of this,
they are rebuked.
If
the saying goes, “Fashion is a barometer
of the times,” especially women’s fashion,
you can’t help but ask yourself what today's
fashion says.
When
I scroll social media, I see more skin than
clothing, and I often wonder if this is
a sign of the breakdown of morality in our
society. I don’t say this with judgment
in my heart because I remember when my clothing
was criticized by those older than me, and
I could never understand it.
Call
me old fashioned, but it is an observation
that is worth putting against the backdrop
of this very word. Where has the sense of
modesty gone? And why? How has it become
normal to expose ourselves indecently, even
in some of the more extreme cases, in the
presence of children? Heart Check.
What
is your view on today's fashion? Does it
line up with Biblical standards? Or is it
simply old fashioned?
Deep
Dive
How
does the prophecy of Isaiah mirror today’s
society?
Does
it bring peace or anxiety?
How
might this message serve as a warning or
encouragement to us?
Do
you view the idea of universal peace as
obtainable in today’s climate? What might
that look like in a practical sense?
Study
the word “light” and how it is applied in
the Bible. What does it mean practically
to walk in it?
Where
do you see God’s heartbeat on display throughout
these chapters?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your continued compassionate
call for repentance.
We
know you genuinely long for a relationship
with us and are not seeking religious duty
but hearts that are set on you. We contend
for this today in our communities, families,
nations, and the world as a whole. There
is not one who is exempt from this call.
The door is always open for us to choose
you, so I pray, especially for our loved
ones who stand on the outside to see the
door and enter before it is too late. Continue
to work on our hearts so that we do not
become self-righteous in any way, but instead
become more compassionate and even more
full of grace, mercy, and kindness.
We
see the state of our world today and how
it mirrors Judah. Oh, God, we ask for your
mercy to be upon us. We know what is to
come, but we pray and ask for divine protection
upon the innocent and the lost. Help us
to see the ticking clock as one of mercy—it
is you allowing more time for more people
to come through those gates. Show us how
we can help to usher them in.
We
hear your voice today, calling us to give
ear to this teaching. May every heart leave
changed today because of what they have
just read and by the work that you are doing
on an even deeper level in their hearts
and character. Show us if there are any
areas of dross, impurities, or harbored
sin that needs to be removed so that you
can then hear our cries and answer our prayers.
Thank you for loving us so much to give
us a little tough love so that we will come
back to you.
We
are so grateful, Jesus, for your blood that
washes us white as snow. We are no longer
slaves to our sin and no longer held down
by the shame of our past. We have been set
free and we are eating the good of the land
because of what you have done. Please continue
to build our faith—one that is established
on the mount, in integrity and peace.
Just
as you have given the promise to rebuild
the temple and to restore Jerusalem, we
don’t have to wait until then to enjoy your
glory and light. Your restoration business
is open today and available now for us to
be taken to new heights with you. So I pray
that we will mount up as we walk in step
with your Word and view each day and circumstance
from a heavenly perspective. May your Holy
Spirit fall on us like fire from heaven,
mobilizing us to fulfill your purpose.
May
our confidence be placed in you alone, as
we turn from what the world sees as valid,
fashionable, worthwhile or successful, and
take on your eternal mindset that sees a
greater picture. We humble our hearts as
we lift you up and exalt on you on high.
Thank you for the glorious hope of your
return. May we live each day as if it is
happening today.
Isaiah
5 begins with the Lord presenting a parable
about a vineyard that produces fruit but
is useless. He questions Judah, "What
more could I have done?" to emphasize
and kindle their obedience to Him. The Lord
is becoming weary of their transgressions
and now proclaims their coming judgment
should they continue in idolatrous ways.
Isaiah
6 is the prophet Isaiah's vision of the
Lord on His throne surrounded by the seraphim.
A beautiful and excellent description of
the sights and sounds surrounding the throne
is recalled as Isaiah himself feels the
depth of his unworthiness before the presence
of the Lord.
Isaiah
is purged of his uncleanness and commissioned
by the Lord to prophesy to the people regarding
their hardened hearts until their day of
judgment.
In
Isaiah 7, the Lord sends the prophet with
his son Shear-Jashub to prophesy the coming
destruction of Judah, captivity, and the
return of only a remnant of the people to
the land. In his defiance, Ahaz refuses
to hear the sign from the Lord that all
would take place, seemingly removing all
obligation on his part to repent. The Lord,
however, reveals to him the sign of the
coming Messiah and that Assyria will defeat
Judah despite their alliance.
Isaiah
8 declares the coming invasion of Assyria
upon Syria and Judah.
As
Judah is allowed to repent from their evil,
idolatrous ways, the fulfillment of the
naming of Isaiah's future son will signify
the beginning of Judah's destruction.
The
Lord stresses the importance of preparing
their hearts now and turning to the God
who established them as His people and a
nation.
Isaiah
8 declares the coming invasion of Assyria
upon Syria and Judah.
As
Judah is allowed to repent from their evil,
idolatrous ways, the fulfillment of the
naming of Isaiah's future son will signify
the beginning of Judah's destruction.
The
Lord stresses the importance of preparing
their hearts now and turning to the God
who established them as His people and a
nation.
WILD
GRAPES | Isaiah 5:1-7
Israel
was God's chosen nation—His beloved vineyard,
made to bear good fruit, uphold justice,
and maintain righteousness.
But
as Jesus said, “You can identify a tree
by its fruit just as you can identify people
by their actions” (Matt. 7:20), and when
God looked at Israel, He found sour and
bitter fruit. We are like that vineyard
today.
We
are well-loved, cared for, protected, and
given an abundant amount of grace, yet 2/3
of the world still rejects Christ. I can’t
help but wonder if part of the reason is
the fruit that we bear. Does our fruit appeal
to others who want to be in our vineyard?
Heart Check.
When
the Lord looks at your heart, what fruit
is seen? How do you treat others? Does your
fruit mirror God's character? Or are you
yeilding wild grapes?
VIEW
OF GOD | Isaiah 6:4-5
Here,
Isaiah has a proper view of God—he sees
His greatness and power, which serves as
a backdrop to His unfaithfulness. He went
from declaring woes on the people around
him to saying, “Woe is me.”
And
that’s how it is as we draw nearer to the
Lord. We focus less on others and begin
to look within. The clearer we see God and
His holiness, the clearer we will see ourselves.
It’s
like a diamond placed against a black backdrop—the
impurities unseen by the naked eye are now
on display as the light shines through it.
And I love that Isaiah says, “I am lost”
or “I am undone.” This is not a good place
to be because this is the very state that
Jesus comes running after us in.
He
leaves the 99 for the one that is lost.
He takes the undone and restores it to an
even greater glory. But we must first come
to that humble and broken place so He can
pour out that forgiveness. And once we receive
it and allow Him to put us back together,
we will receive the power to go and do His
work. Heart Check.
What
is your view of God? How does this affect
the way you see yourself? And what are youdoing
about it?
SEND
ME | Isaiah 6:8
Isaiah
was willing to go before he even knew what
the task would be. That is an incredible
servant's heart.
How
did he get to that point? He’s been in the
presence of God, he recognizes his sinfulness,
he sees the need for God to touch the people
around him, but most importantly, he’s been
changed by the cleansing fire of the Lord.
The purification process is typically not
pleasant—he had a burning coal that seared
the delicate fiesh of his lips.
No
amount of Carmex would bring him relief.
But in that painful process, his heart changed
because the Lord was cauterizing an open
wound. Now that Isaiah has been healed,
he will do whatever the Lord asks. This
is the place where God wants us. He wants
us to have these kinds of hearts—willing
servant hearts. Heart Check.
Are
you there? Have you answered the call in
saying, "Here I am. Send me,"
without knowing what He is asking of you?
Or are you waiting for the assignment before
you say yes?
FIRM
FAITH | Isaiah 7:9
Isaiah
tells Ahaz, “Even if you don’t believe a
word I’m saying, it’s still gonna happen.”
The
same goes for us—everything the Lord has
spoken will come to pass. We can pray all
we want for world peace, but unfortunately,
it’s not gonna happen until Jesus returns
because it’s not a part of Bible prophecy.
If
we don’t trust in God’s Word, we will constantly
be filled with fear, anxiety, and despair,
especially when we look at the state of
the world. But when we know that all these
things are taking place as a sign and fulfillment
of prophecy, we will be at peace as we trust
that we are drawing nearer to glory. Heart
Check.
How
firm is your faith or belief in God's spoken
word? How do you react when you read the
headlines or see the state of the world?
CONSPIRACY
FEARS | Isaiah 8:12
No
matter what, there is going to be conspiracy
and fear-mongering being spewed from here
on out because where the truth lies, the
enemy comes to distort it. Fear is one of
his greatest weapons because he knows that
we will destroy ourselves from within if
we allow it to persist. It disrupts our
peace and can easily lead us away from trusting
in the Lord.
Nowadays,
it’s hard to decipher what truth is anymore.
It’s as if Isaiah knew this day would come,
and he is pointing our focus back to the
Lord by saying, “Stop fearing the bad news
that is all over your feed. Fear the Lord.
Worry about your standing with God rather
than what the enemy is doing.” Heart Check.
Are
you caught up in conspiracies or consumed
with fear? Are you more concerned with what
is going on in the world than what is going
on in your heart?
WAITING
GAME | Isaiah 8:17
Even
though God “turned away” from the people,
Isaiah declares that he will wait for the
Lord, no matter how long it takes. Some
prophecies took hundreds of years to be
fulfilled. Some are still yet to come to
pass! This is often the most challenging
part of our relationship with the Lord—the
waiting game. Waiting for healing, a broken
relationship to be restored, a child to
return home, waiting on that baby, waiting
for an acceptance o£er.
And
remember, waiting isn’t just sitting around
and doing nothing. It’s an active expectation.
It’s a time for preparation for what is
to come. The waiting seasons are some of
the best seasons for spiritual growth, but
because it test our patience, many people
lose faith in these times. Heart Check.
How
are you in the waiting? Do you use that
time productively? Are you accepting of
the Lord's timing or expecting Him to be
on your timeclock?
Deep
Dive
What
expectations of Israel can be seen through
the metaphor of the vineyard?
Consider
the six woes. Are they still applicable
today? Do they refiect today’s societal
issues?
Why
is it so di£icult for human nature
to grasp the holiness of God? Why is it
so easy for Seraphim? How does their reaction
along with Isaiah’s inform your understanding?
What
does a holy remnant look like today?
How
do we reconcile hopeful prayer with God’s
sovereignty over what is to come?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the hope that we
have been given of the Word in its entirety.
I
can’t imagine being in the shoes of the
Israelites in this day of Isaiah, hearing
such a dismal warning, and not having rest
of the story. But we know the end, and therefore
we can maintain hope in times of trouble.
They had to look forward to Immanuel, but
Jesus, you already came and are now with
us continually through the work of your
Holy Spirit dwelling within us. What comfort
that brings us, especially in times of trouble.
What
a privilege it is to be as valued as a beloved
vineyard. You have prepared us, cared for
us, protected us, and given us such a beautiful
gift of grace. I pray that we will yield
a glorious harvest of sweet fruit. May our
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
overfiow into the lives of others, so that
they too will want to eat of the good land.
If there are any sour grapes among us, will
you prune as necessary. Take away whatever
is causing spoilage in our lives. We may
not be able to change society as a whole,
but we can start where we’re at and hopefully
be a living testimony and agents of change
for others.
We
hear these woes being pronounced and can’t
help but wonder if they are still echoing
in the heavens, for your mind hasn’t changed
when it comes to greed, corruption, indulgence,
loose living, perversion, pride, or injustice.
And yet it continues to run rampant in our
society. Lord, have mercy on us. I pray
that you will impart your Spirit upon our
people and ignite a fiame of conviction
and repentance in their hearts. Show yourself
to those who don’t know you. We pray for
divine appointments and words to speak to
those who may not believe. Where there is
confiict or instability, please grant the
leaders wisdom and integrity and may they
look to govern for the good of the people
rather than for the grab for power. We pray
for those who may be su£ering under
any sort of turmoil or oppression—comfort
them and give them peace. Remove any fear
and may your Spirit move in such a way that
it blazes a trail of freedom. We know you
are still on the throne and we trust in
your great plan.
I
pray for a fresh vision of your greatness
and holiness today. Start with the purification
of our own thoughts and hearts. May our
actions follow suit as we pursue you rather
than fruitless endeavors. May we gain a
good understanding of your holiness so that
we can see ourselves rightly against it.
I pray that we don’t get down on ourselves,
because that is not what you died for. You
died so we could examine, confess, repent,
and be set free. So we welcome that conviction
and purification in our hearts today as
we continue to find refuge in you as we
trust in your Word. If we ever begin to
stray, bring us back to the truth that you
are with us, our Immanuel. We will wait
on you because we love you and trust you.
Amos
1 introduces the prophet during the reigns
of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam
of Israel.
A
word of the Lord comes to him, prophesying
of the destruction of the nations that surround
Israel: Damascus, Syria, and Gaza, Tyre,
Edom, Ammon.
Amos
2 continues pronouncing more judgments,
beginning with Moab and even including Judah
and Israel. The Lord speaks of how He allowed
the entire people of Israel to prosper significantly
in all their ways. They were a£orded
every opportunity to come to Him, and they
squandered them all.
In
Amos 3, the Lord reminds the people how
He brought them out of Egypt and has delivered
them and cared for them since. He questions
their lack of gratitude amongst all His
providence. Amos proclaims that the Lord's
announcing judgment displays His firmness
on the matter of intending to correct their
rebellion. He invites the surrounding nations
to witness their conquering as an example
of their fate as well.
Amos
4 recounts the sinful nature of the women
of Israel in rebellion against the Lord
and how their sacrifices have not been received
in disobedience. Judgments are added to
all the people of Israel, as the Lord vows
He will punish His people.
In
Amos 5, the judgment on the people of the
Lord has been firmly proclaimed. They rejected
every opportunity the Lord a£orded
them to correct their behaviors, and any
special feasts or sacrifices would no longer
sway him. They have had many opportunities
to repent but have continued to choose their
sinful, idolatrous ways instead. Although
exile is imminent, the Lord still invites
them during their captivity to turn towards
Him with a repentant heart for deliverance.
COMMON
USAGE | Amos 1:1
I
love that Amos introduces himself as being
“among the shepherds” or as a sheep breeder.
This wasn’t the most glamorous job at this
time, nor was it, by any means, spiritual.
Yet God called this common man out of his
ordinary job to do something extraordinary.
Many
people will discount themselves from ministry
because they have no formal training or
don’t know the Bible too well, so they will
essentially shut their ears to the greater
calling of God.
But
the Lord loves to use the simple to confound
the wise. He loves to use the ordinary and
make it extraordinary. He takes shepherds
and has them slay giants. He takes a carpenter,
making him the most remarkable man ever
to walk this earth.
And
He will do the same with us if we are willing
to recognize that He can use anyone at any
time and place. Some of my most significant
moments of ministering were on the jumpseat
as a fiight attendant. I wasn’t quoting
scripture or calling people to repent. I
was just telling them my story or inviting
people to church when they were having a
rough time. It was simple, yet God did incredible
things in their lives that go beyond what
I will ever see. Heart Check.
Do
you see yourself as able to be used? Or
do you think you're too common? What ways
can God use you in your everyday life?
GREATER
ACCOUNTABILITY | Amos 2:1-5
Here
we see that Judah is not off the hook. In
fact, they are held to an even higher standard
because they were given the privilege of
having the Word of God. In other words,
they should’ve known better.
This
still holds true today. Paul spoke on this
several times, saying that those who teach,
meaning those who know the Word, will be
held to a higher accountability.
Because
it’s no longer about doing evil but also
knowing what you are supposed to do and
not doing it—that too is considered sin.
Getting
proper rest is one of the most significant
areas I have developed. I used to be so
worried about getting the job done that
I would get very little sleep, and I was
always sick (some of you may remember this
from last year).
But
this year, the Lord made provision for that
rest. He brought Holly to the ministry.
He brought an incredible team that runs
our small groups and Facebook page. He brought
Drea to help in several areas.
But
if I denied the help that He was giving,
it would be disobedience on my part. In
the eyes of others, this may seem like such
a small thing, but because I knew what the
Spirit of God was telling me to do—actually
to sleep—if I didn’t do it, the fire would’ve
come by way of burnout. This ministry would’ve
dissolved. Heart Check.
Have
you grown in your knowledge of the word,
and what areas do you see yourself being
challenged in that may have seemed insignificant
before? How will you be held to a higher
standard?
RELATIONSHIP
STATUS | Amos 3:1-2
The
Lord is reminding them of their privileged
relationship. He has chosen them out of
all the other nations in the world to model
what it means to live the good life. He
chose them, called them, and blessed them.
It’s
kind of like our own kids—we will give them
more than we give anyone else’s kids, but
we will also discipline them in ways we
would never discipline another. Because
with this tremendous privilege comes an
even greater responsibility.
When
we first get saved, we have this newfound
freedom, which is incredible. But as we
grow in our relationship with Christ and
our knowledge of the Word, we begin to understand
that there are higher living standards that
we probably weren’t living up to.
This
isn’t legalism or a works-based relationship.
This is a call to uphold the new covenant
that you have made. Think about it this
way: When you first start dating a person,
everything feels so free and exciting, but
when you get married, you make a more profound
commitment to the other person, which requires
a lot of sacrifice. But if you say, “I don’t
want to sacrifice or give this up or live
up to those standards. I want to be free
like before,” your relationship will begin
to su£er rather than grow.
And
it’s the same with Christ. Heart Check.
What's
your relationship status with Christ? Are
you just starting to court? Are you in the
honeymoon phase? Are you starting to see
the struggles that come with sacrifice?
Or are you in the golden years?
THE
LOVE OF WORSHIP | Amos 4:4-5
The
people were all show and no go. The Lord
rebukes their outward show of worship that
had no internal significance. They were
doing all the right things and even doing
them exceedingly well. They brought the
tithe every three days instead of the prescribed
every three years. But the Lord says, “It
matters none when it is all done for show.”
They
loved their corrupted worship. This is why
we can’t measure worship by how it pleases
us. Sometimes we do this, where we will
rate worship based on the tears we cried
or the goosebumps we got when a singer hit
a high note.
But
worship isn’t about our feelings. It’s a
call to obedience and a desire to honor
our God, who is worthy to be praised. Sometimes,
we will determine a person’s “anointing”
by how well they interpreted scripture or
how many times they made us laugh in a sermon.
Heart Check.
Does
your worship "measure up"? Do
you rate it based upon how it pleases you
or how it makes you feel?
PREPARED
| Amos 4:12
When
you hear the phrase, “Prepare to meet your
maker,” it’s not usually a term that is
intended to excite someone. It’s usually
meant to invoke fear of death. But as Christians,
this is a blessed invitation to prepare
for a glorious eternity with our Father.
To the Israelites, this would’ve been a
challenge. But for all people, it’s a summons,
as we will all stand before the judge and
give account for everything we’ve done.
So the question is… Heart Check.
Are
you prepared to meet your Maker?
Deep
Dive
How
do the judgments on these nations apply
to nations today? Are these sins still evident
nationally?
Is
there such thing as ethical warfare? What
does the prophecy against Ammon say about
this?
What
modern parallels can you draw from the theme
of social injustice? How can this Word be
applied today, and how can we play a role
in it?
How
do God’s judgments challenge or a£irm
your perception of God’s character?
If
God always gives warning, what warnings
may have been spoken for us today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for calling our hearts
to you.
Sometimes
we can’t believe that you would pick us,
a commoner, a sinner, and tell us that we
are valuable and loved. We can’t believe
that you would ever want to use someone
like us, yet you did it before and you will
do it again. So we yield to you. We open
up our arms in surrender and say yes to
you. The calling on our lives may appear
to be di£icult or it may not be glamorous,
but we know that it is a glorious calling.
We know that you are always working behind
the scenes, doing things that we may never
see in this lifetime. So we will trust you
and simply answer the call. Give us the
words to speak to people, give us the courage
to invite them to church or Bible study.
Give us the know how and the fearlessness
to pray for those in need. Let your Spirit
fiow through us on to others.
We
know that you never overlook sin, and even
if it seems like someone is getting away
scott free, we know that sin always finds
a person out. So we thank you for your justice
that will continue to prove faithful. I
pray that we will be those who, in the meantime,
uphold justice and live righteously, knowing
that your impartial judgment will come to
pass and your mercy will overfiow to those
who show themselves merciful. Show us how
we can personally respond to injustice.
Thank
you for the reminder of the consequences
that will come when we abandon your Word
or mistreat others. This is not you being
cruel, but it is your loving way to bring
us back to a safe place, where we can be
restored to righteousness. Thank you for
that. I pray that we never shy away from
knowing your word in fear of being held
to a higher standard but rather see it as
the privilege that it is to know you more
and to draw closer to you. This will yield
a greater eternal reward, which pales in
comparison to simply having a right relationship
with you. That is our greatest desire.
Thank
you for your mercy and always giving fair
warning to us. We gain this both personally,
in our intimate relationship with you and
through your Word, but also nationally.
May we never forget what has been spoken
and I pray that because we remember, we
will always be able to discern what is right
and wrong and what you want us to do. Please
give us the courage and strength to always
follow through on the convictions you stir
up within us. And may every struggle we
face always bring us closer to you. Let
our worship be genuine as we deeply commit
ourselves to earnestly seek your face.
In
Amos 6, the Lord warns the people of Israel
against placing pride in their comfort and
safety, as the surrounding nations have.
He reminds them who keeps them protected
and provides their prosperity and that His
presence is what sets them apart from the
other nations.
Their
trust has been in themselves and their interpretation
of justice, and they do not consider the
Lord in all matters. He is going to bring
disaster as a means of correction to bring
attention back to their True Protector and
Provider.
Amos
7 shows the Lord's three visions of Amos
of the coming judgment. The first is of
a swarm of locusts, the second of consuming
fire, and the third of a plumb line to which
the Lord will measure Israel's faithfulness
to Him.
Amaziah,
the priest, proclaims that Amos is spreading
false prophecy, and Amos responds that,
as a simple farmer, he did not plan to be
a prophet until the Lord chose him to speak
to the people.
Amos
speaks a word of prophecy regarding Amaziah's
wife as the Lord continues to convince the
people that judgment is coming.
Amos
8 declares a word from the Lord that the
coming judgment will be a visual representation
of their hearts, which have been rotten
for the last hundred years as they have
turned from the Lord, their source of life.
Deceit and injustice have categorized their
society, as the poor are left to fend for
themselves in all situations. Their judgment
will involve creation mourning alongside
the people, and the people will long to
hear from the Lord, but He will not answer
them.
Amos
9 is the inescapable judgment of the Lord
upon the people and the ruin that will come
and destroy all they hold dear to them.
They will cease to be a collective people
with their land and be scattered among all
the world's nations. The peace and safety
they have come to rely on will no longer
be until the day the Lord raises His Messiah;
even the Gentiles will be gathered to His
side. The Messiah will restore Israel to
its intended glory and abundance for all
God's people.
PRAY
| Amos 7:1-6
The
implication here is that because Amos prayed,
the Lord relented. We just spoke the other
day about the greater importance of prayer
is the change in our hearts rather than
the change in the outcome itself.
Some
would argue that there are no prayers that
will change prophecy, but here we see otherwise.
But this is because it happened in real
time, and God knew who he was raising. He
knew he was calling a man of prayer. What
the Lord has already spoken and written
for the future in the Bible, He is not going
to relent.
It
has been written and spoken and is, in a
sense, already done. What we can draw from
this word is that we need to pray regardless
because as long as we are on this earth,
we are fighting against the spiritual enemy
of darkness.
And
our prayers are the weapons of defense for
ourselves and those around us. So, as long
as we are here, we’re throwing blows. Just
as Amos did, when we are bugged, we pray.
When we get burned, we pray. When things
go well, we pray.
God
will either change our situation or change
our perspective as He strengthens our faith.
Heart Check.
Is
the Lord moving your heart to pray? Are
you doing it?
FAMILY
DEVOTION | Amos 7:17
Amos
ends by telling Amaziah that because he
isn’t listening to God’s words, his family
is going to su£er. This has a direct
implication for us as well—if we aren’t
listening to God’s Word, there will be no
faith within our families because faith
comes by hearing and hearing the Word of
God. Heart Check.
Is
your family listening to God's Word? Are
you spending devotional time and praying
together?
FAMILIAR
SPEECH | Amos 8:1
I
love how God uses the things that Amos is
familiar with. He was a fig picker, so the
Lord spoke to him using fruit. Sometimes,
we think the revelation of God is somewhere
in a profound realm that we have no access
to, while He is saying, “I want to meet
you where you’re at.” He will speak to us
right where we are and in the most natural
way. It doesn’t have to be so complicated.
But if we’re looking for Him in places we
aren’t familiar with, it’s no wonder we
don’t see His face. Heart Check.
Are
you looking for the Lord in the familiar?
Tale inventory of what is familiar to you.
How might God speak through those things?
HEARING
THE WORD | Amos 8:11
The
inability to hear God’s Word would be the
worst famine to come upon a person or land.
Basically, their appetite for His Word was
non-existent, and because that, the Lord
closed their ears. This didn’t mean He was
no longer speaking, but it meant they simply
couldn’t hear Him. We have been given the
answers to every one of life’s problems
right here in the Word of God, but if we
go everywhere else trying to find those
answers, don’t be surprised if you feel
as though God is distant and no longer speaking
to your heart. Heart Check.
How
well do you hear the Word of the Lord? Do
you go the Word for answers to your problems?
Or do you seek them out elsewhere?
Deep
Dive
Looking
at the life of Amos, what is the role of
a prophet? How does this relate to us as
mouthpieces of Christ?
Is
complacency and materialism only reserved
for the “rich”? How might it be displayed
through one who is not wealthy? How do we
guard against it?
How
do modern-day conspiracies arise when the
truth surfaces? How do we decipher between
the truth and the lie?
How
do these warnings relate to the teachings
of Jesus?
How
does God’s promise in the end encourage
your faith?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your that you pour
out into our lives.
I
pray that we always maintain humble hearts
as we continually focus on how we can bless
and glorify you in the way that we treat
others. We know that you desire to bless
us but the goal is that we will be a blessing
and give rather than hoard it all for ourselves.
This
doesn’t mean that we must give everything
away, but it’s remembering where it all
came from, keeping a heart of gratitude,
and therefore guarding ourselves against
greed, indulgence, laziness, and selfishness.
So I pray against any false sense of security
based upon our current state of living,
for we know things can change in an instant,
so may we always be ready and never surprised,
knowing that you will uphold us if we remain
faithful.
Thank
you for your continued justice. But even
as we look at the reality of that, we also
realize that your mercy is just as real.
And when we pray, things shift in the heavens,
as we cry out and intercede on behalf of
others. Move our hearts to pray for our
families, communities, and nations. We know
that your justice will prevail, but in the
meantime, we may save others from judgment
in the process. Our faith will also be strengthened
in the process. So give us vision to see
where we are headed so we know what to pray
for and how. In the meantime, we stick to
hearing your Word, knowing that when we
listen to what has already been spoken and
declared, you will reveal more in our spirits.
Thank
you for the direct access that we have to
your Word every single day. I pray that
we will always be tuned in to hearing your
voice. May your Word always be a new seed
that is planted for a harvest. I pray that
it never becomes so familiar that we fail
to see the richness in every layer of its
being. We also don’t want to overcomplicate
it, but simply be aligned with the truth
that you need us to hear each day.
The
main thing is that we maintain an open line
of communication rather than turning aside
and closing o£ that channel. May we
never get to a place where being in your
Word, going to church, or serving you in
any way feels like a burden. Help us to
always have the right perspective that it
is an act of worship, not for outward appearance
or obligation but for continued obedience
and reverence before you so that we continue
to grow rather than decay or spoil.
Even
though Amos’ word to Israel was one that
could easily seem so disheartening or discouraging,
you so vividly displayed yhdHDour love and
mercy as you proclaimed your message of
restoration.
I
am so grateful that we cannot escape your
Presence, for that means we are never out
of your reach to rescue us out of the depths
of the pit, nor are we ever too far gone
that you can’t humble us o£ from the
pinnacle of pride. I don’t want to run from
you anymore. I want to stay so close that
there is never a question as to the direction
in which I’m headed. Thank you for sifting
us and removing any impurities that may
be holding us back from experiencing your
glory in its fullness.
Thank
you for being the God who restores. Thank
you that you are for us and not against
us. We are so grateful, that despite how
far down we may go and or how hard we fall,
you are right there to pick us back up,
especially when there is a remnant of faithfulness
in our heart. You are a promise keeper who
is full of grace and mercy, and we praise
you for that today. Thank you for the eternal
hope that has been placed in our hearts.
I pray that we never lose sight of it.
2
Chronicles 27 details the reign of Jotham,
the king of Judah, and highlights his righteous
rule and construction projects. Jotham,
the son of Uzziah, became king at the age
of 25 and ruled Judah for 16 years. He is
noted for doing what was right in the eyes
of the Lord, similar to his father, Uzziah,
but he avoided the sin of entering the temple,
a mistake that led to Uzziah's downfall.
He undertook construction projects, built
cities in the hill country of Judah, and
constructed fortresses and towers in the
wooded areas.
He
fought and subdued the Ammonites, who then
paid him a substantial tribute for three
consecutive years.
Isaiah
9 opens with a prophecy of hope, announcing
the coming of a great light to those living
in darkness. This passage is famously associated
with the birth of Jesus Christ, described
as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, and Prince of Peace. It also foretells
the judgment on Israel due to their pride
and disobedience, highlighting the consequences
of rejecting God's guidance.
Isaiah
10 depicts God's judgment on Assyria, the
instrument of His wrath against Israel.
Assyria's arrogance and boastfulness lead
to its own downfall. The chapter underscores
the theme that God uses nations as tools
to fulfill His purposes but holds them accountable
for their pride and cruelty. It concludes
with a promise of a remnant of Israel returning
to God.
Isaiah
11 presents a vision of a future messianic
kingdom. From the "stump of Jesse,"
a Branch (the Messiah) will emerge, endowed
with the Spirit of the Lord. This chapter
beautifully portrays a time of universal
peace and righteousness, where natural enemies
coexist harmoniously. It emphasizes the
Messiah's wisdom, understanding, counsel,
might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.
Isaiah
12 is a song of thanksgiving and praise.
It celebrates God's salvation and encourages
trust in Him. The chapter highlights the
joy of drawing water from the wells of salvation
and calls for proclaiming God's deeds among
the nations. It looks forward to the day
when all the earth will acknowledge and
worship God, echoing themes of hope and
redemption.
FAITH
IN TRIALS | Isaiah 9:1-2
Many
of us may find ourselves walking through
a metaphorical darkness, whether it’s spiritual,
emotional, or physical. Are you feeling
hopeless, as if a cloud overshadows your
future?
This
passage reminds us that there is hope even
in our darkest times. Are you facing a physical
ailment, battling cancer, or feeling bedridden,
forgotten, or isolated? Or are you struggling
with spiritual warfare, feeling oppressed
in mind, body, and spirit?
A
great light can pierce through any darkness,
and that light is Jesus Christ. He brings
new hope and renewal every morning. So,
heart check.
Do
you hold onto the hope of a new dawn each
day with Jesus? Are you struggling with
a specific challenge right now, and how
can you lean more on Jesus to bring light
into that situation?
REJOICE
| Isaiah 9:6-7
There
is only one who can be our Wonderful Counselor,
Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince
of Peace.
Only
one can bear and not break under the heavy
yoke of leading and ruling this world with
universal peace, and it is our heavenly
Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is divinely prophesied
here.
Let
these verses come alive in a new way—not
just as a Christmas morning song, but as
a hope and promise that this world will
be restored. After years of oppression—spiritual,
physical, and persecution—there is hope
in our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace,
Jesus Christ. Heart Check.
Can
you rejoice in the victory that Christ has
already won for you?
GOD’S
WRATH | Isaiah 9:8-10:4
How
do we understand God's wrath? He is slow
to anger, but His anger can be provoked.
As
a parent, my patience wears thin with my
children, and my wrath can be stirred. I
am a frail human with limited capacity,
yet here we see that the Lord's anger has
been provoked to complete and utter judgment
upon His chosen people. Like a father, He
has to allow judgment or natural consequences
to fall upon His children.
There's
only so much I can do as a parent to lead
my child to the narrow path of righteousness
and justice—a life of obedience and trust
in God. But as the saying goes, "I
can lead a horse to water, but I cannot
make him drink." Do you thirst for
the water of everlasting life right before
you?
The
Lord reprimands the children of Israel for
their ignorance and blatant disobedience
against His sovereignty. Every mouth has
turned to folly against Him and will be
cut down.
My
heart hurts, but it pales compared to the
heartache the Lord must feel seeing His
children turn entirely away from Him.
Yet,
I am thankful that this is not the end of
the story. Within these verses, we still
have hope in Jesus Christ because He is
our propitiation. He diverted God's anger
from us, and now we have victory over sin
and death. Heart Check.
Have
you provoked the wrath of God to the point
you think you can't escape his anger? If
so, have you fully surrendered your heart
to the saving grace of Jeus Christ, the
only one who can divert the wrath of God?
REDIRECTION
| Isaiah 10:5-19
God
can use any tool, even a boastful nation
like Assyria, to redirect our steps back
to Him. In our lives, He may use our mistakes
and pride to open our eyes to the redemption
and restoration found in complete surrender
to Jesus Christ.
Just
as God broke down Assyria's arrogance, He
can break down our pride. Heart Check.
Is
there any arrogance in your heart that needs
to be cut down like Assyria?
NEW
GROWTH NEW ERA | Isaiah 11
I
love the metaphor of a tree regarding the
prophecy in Isaiah 11. Imagine a tree with
deep roots, a sturdy trunk, and sprawling
branches. But in this analogy, the branches
have been cut, the trunk devoured, and all
that remains is a stump. Yet, from this
stump, with its deep roots, there is a promise
of new growth and a new kingdom with a Messiah.
Coppicing
is a traditional woodland management method
that exploits the capacity of many tree
species to put out new shoots from their
stump or roots if cut down. This method
increases the lifespan of the tree and allows
it to grow back stronger. In Hebrew, the
word for coppice is "netzer,"
which is believed to be the root of "Nazareth."
This connection reveals the deep symbolism
of "a shoot from the stump of Jesse,"
a prophecy of Jesus' coming.
Nazareth,
where Mary was told she would bear Christ,
likely got its name from a Davidic clan
from Babylon around 100 BC. The Hebrew term
"Netzer" refers to a branch, indicating
that Jesus, the Nazarene, is the prophesied
Messiah. Just as the shoot from the stump
grows back strong, Jesus grows and bears
much fruit.
The
fruit of this new growth includes the spirit
of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might,
knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. Heart
Check.
Are
you resting in the comfort and peace under
the tree of our great Messiah?
BRIGHT
HOPE | Isaiah 12
Isaiah
12 is a beautiful psalm of thanksgiving,
celebrating the promise of the Messiah and
the hope for the remnant of Israel.
This
chapter foretells the return of God's people
and the proclamation of His glory among
all nations. It reminds us to sing His praises
now and always, preparing our hearts for
the Day of the Lord.
The
themes of joy and salvation in Isaiah 12
connect directly to the future promise in
Revelation, where every nation will acknowledge
His glory. This passage assures us of the
coming heavenly millennial reign, a bright
and hopeful future. Heart Check.
Are
you singing His praises now, living in readiness
for the glorious day of the Lord?
Deep
Dive
How
does the prophecy of a great light coming
to those in darkness apply to both the historical
context and the coming of Christ? What does
this light represent in your life today?
Reflect
on the titles given to the Messiah in this
passage. How does each title (Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace) reveal different aspects
of Jesus' role and character?
How
does God use the nation of Assyria to fulfill
His purposes, and what lessons can we learn
about His sovereignty over nations and individuals?
What warnings are given to those who act
with pride and arrogance?
Examine
the qualities of the Messiah as described
in this chapter. How do these qualities
inform your understanding of Jesus' ministry
and His future reign? How can we cultivate
these qualities in our own lives?
The
imagery of animals living in harmony is
a powerful metaphor for peace. How does
this vision of peace challenge and inspire
you in your daily interactions and relationships?
This
chapter is a song of praise and thanksgiving.
How can we incorporate a spirit of gratitude
into our daily worship and prayers?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the light of the
word and hopeful futurethrough Jesus Christ.
We
come before You with hearts full of praise
for Your glory, the promise of universal
peace, and Your sovereign governance. We
thank You for our hope in Your Word and
in the coming of our Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Lord,
we ask for Your forgiveness for our disobedience
and lack of trust.We acknowledge our sins
and apostasy and seek Your mercy. Help us
to turn back to You with repentant hearts,
trusting in Your grace and forgiveness.Grant
us understanding as we study Your Word,
especially the prophecies and teachings
that are often difficult to grasp.
Open
our hearts to the revelation of Your truth
and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Allow
the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, transforming
and drawing us closer to You.
Prepare
our hearts, Lord, to be ready for Your return.
May
we proclaim with the remnant that You are
worthy of all praise and glory, forever
and ever.
As
Isaiah 12 says, "Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord,
the Lord himself, is my strength and my
defense; he has become my salvation."
Micah
1 introduces the unexpected countryman Micah
as a prophet from the Lord to prophesy of
the coming judgment upon the people of Judah
and Samaria. He is distraught to bring this
prophecy because he speaks of his fellow
countrymen in the rural outskirts of Judah
and Samaria and the horrific judgment the
Lord will bring upon the people and their
land.
Micah
2 describes the covetous and prideful sins
among the people of Judah and Samaria. The
possessions they cling to will be ripped
from them under the coming judgment, and
their pride will wash away in their lowly
state. They have rejected the Lord's prophets'
words and received false prophesies that
speak of only their prosperity. Although
the Lord's correcting judgment is imminent,
He has promised they will not be perpetually
under His condemnation and will restore
them and their land one day.
In
Micah 3, the Lord speaks specifically to
the leaders of the people of Judah and Samaria.
Sharp imagery describes their careless manner
towards the people and, ultimately, their
souls. They will cry to the Lord, but the
Lord will no longer hear and answer their
cries of repentance. The Lord also speaks
judgment towards the false prophets and
of Jerusalem receiving the same fate as
Samaria.
Micah
4 is a prophecy regarding the last days
when Zion will be restored. This restoration
will be a physical and spiritual rebuilding
wholly fulfilled in the millennial kingdom.
It
will be a time of peace, safety, abundance,
and rest, where the Lord will receive all
glory. However, there will be a painful
time before the coming comfort and peace,
and we see a mention of the Babylonian captivity.
Micah
5 mentions the long-awaited Messiah and
His birth. This Messiah's work will be characterized
as a servant to His people and a deliverer
from the nations. A remnant of Jacob will
return, and the Lord will be exalted among
them, as all idolatry and sorcery will be
expelled from the land.
In
Micah 6, the Lord beckons the people to
plead their case to Him as to why He should
not cast His judgment upon them. Instead
of fully trusting in His providence, he
rhetorically asks them what He did to make
them leave Him and run after other gods
and men.
As
they have no justifiable cause, He asks
for repentance and sacrifice to begin walking
with Him justly, in mercy and humility.
If they refuse, His judgment will fall upon
them for their injustice, deceitful practices,
greed, and wicked ways of hearts.
Micah
7 is a confession from the prophet himself
on behalf of the people of Judah and Samaria.
The
nation's sins and the despicable treatment
they invoke on their brethren and neighbors
are declared in humility before the Lord
as their Judge.
Micah
pleads mercy and compassion towards the
people and asks the Lord to keep His hand
from the horrific tragedy that will soon
befall their nation.
OBEDIENT
THOUGHTS | Micah 2:1
This
speaks to the importance of our thoughts.
These
people went to bed at night with sinful
images in their minds, and once they woke
up and had the opportunity to carry them
out, they did. Some people excuse sinful
thoughts because they think that it’s only
a sin if it’s acted out. But Jesus said
otherwise.
He
said that anyone who even looks at a woman
with lust in their hearts commits adultery
(Mt. 5:28). He also said that it isn’t what
comes out of a person that defiles them,
but what is within. Our thoughts refiect
our character!
So
if we even have thoughts of sexual immorality,
hatred, envy, pride… sin is being conceived
in our hearts (James 1:14-15). This is why
Paul said to take our thoughts captive and
make them obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).
Heart Check.
What
are you thinking about? Arethe images in
your mind ones that you would proudly bring
before the Lord in obedience?
BURNING
WORD | Micah 2:7-11
The
Word of God is like fire.
Depending
on your condition and where you’re standing,
it is either going to bring comfort and
warmth, or it’s going to burn you.
Micah
rebukes those who only spoke words of peace
and comfort rather than fiery words of judgment
or warning. These false teachers were catering
to the itchy ears. This is sort of like
cherry-picking your way through the Bible.
But
every Word that God has spoken was with
intention and purpose. If He only wanted
us to know about the first coming of Christ
and not worry about the 2nd, He would’ve
never given us the book of Revelation or
the words of these prophets.
This
is why reading the Word in its entirety
and comprehensively is so important, rather
than picking and choosing what’s attractive
or pleasing.
And
knowing that we are all sinners, there will
be moments of burning and comfort. Heart
Check.
What
does the Word do for you? Are you skimming
over the burning words and only reading
what is comforting? Or are you allowing
it to light a fire under you and guide you
in the right direction?
CHURCH
STANCE | Micah 3:12
Part
of the reason they do not know the thoughts
of the Lord is that they need to pay attention
to the prophetic. Churches that ignore prophecy
and say that they only want to focus on
the here and now are ignoring the revelation
of God that He has given to us through His
word.
If
you say you only want to stick to the teachings
of Jesus and don’t want to talk about End
Times or the 2nd coming, you are watering
down your very purpose and will fail to
work with an urgency that comes with understanding
His plan and thoughts. We cannot dismiss
this as speculative. God spoke these words
for a reason. We need to evaluate the teachings
we are sitting under and know where our
church stands because that will determine
your knowledge and purpose being cultivated
under that leadership. Heart Check.
Do
you know where your church stands on the
prophetic? Do they teach the Word in its
entirety or only stick to a particular portion
of the Bible?
(**Note:
This is not a word against the church, nor
a call to be judgemental or leave your church
if they do not speak on prophecy or End
Times. It's simply a call to know where
to strengthen your knowledge and understanding.
The church is not responsible for your relationship
with Christ or knowledge of the Word. We
have to feed ourselves. And knowing the
Word in its entirety is our most excellent
tool for discerning false teaching.)
OUR
PEACE | Micah 5:5
I
love this scripture.
Nothing
can give us the peace that Jesus provides.
No politician will bring accurate and complete
security and greatness to any nation.
Our
hope must remain consistent regardless of
who is elected into o£ice. The government
is not the source of our peace. Jesus is.
He doesn’t just give us peace; he is the
Prince of Peace that lives within us. Heart
Check.
What
shakes up your peace? Where are you sourcing
it from? Is Jesus truly your peace?
GOD’S
INNOCENCE | Micah 6:2
The
people won’t be able to answer this correctly
because the Lord is innocent of mistreating
them, which is what this question implies.
But if we were asked this question… a Heart
Check.
How
would you answer if the Lord asked you,
"What have I done to you?" Would
you declare Him innocent or guilty of mistreating
you?
3
SIMPLE COMMANDS | Micah 6:8
Here,
the Lord has basically reduced 613 commandments
into 3.
But
these three things are the underlying attitudes
behind every command He ever gave.
So
if they can get these right, all else will
be encompassed. If they can treat others
how they want to be treated (fairly), be
kind and show mercy, and walk humbly with
the Lord, there will be no question as to
whether they are in the wrong. Heart Check.
How
do you treat others? Are you fair in your
dealings? Do you show mercy when people
wrong you? Are you kind? And do you have
your ego in check as you walk with the Lord?
Deep
Dive
Describe
Micah’s character as depicted through his
prophecy. How can this guide the way we
react to judgment or injustice?
How
can we discern between true spiritual leadership
and false teachers?
How
does today’s leadership refiect what was
spoken of in Micah 3? How might we respond
Biblically to corrupt leadership?
How
does the prophecy of Jesus in Micah line
up with New Testament happenings?
What
does walking humbly mean?
How
does the prophecy of Micah guide your purpose
and way of living?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for showing us the compassion
Micah had for the people.
It’s
a beautiful thing when a believer mirrors
your heart, and Micah did this well. He
didn’t allow these words of judgment to
incite pride or to even induce patriotism.
These words and visions hurt his heart,
just as much as they do yours. Oh how we
see a picture of ourselves and the way you
grieve over us when we get caught up in
sin. Thank you for loving and caring about
us so much that you cry over us just the
same. Let this be a call for us to always
come back to you, our compassionate and
caring God. Help us to see where we have
erred and not forsake the warnings of convictions
that are stirred up in our hearts. I pray
that we never shy away from self-refiection,
as we know there is always room for improvement,
so we welcome that today.
And
we thank you for your Word that brings comfort
as we draw nearer to its warmth. I pray
that we don’t dismiss any part of it that
makes us uncomfortable. We need the whole
truth, so I pray that we will continue to
read it as comprehensively as possible,
because every word that you spoke was with
purpose and intention. I pray that we do
not have itchy ears, only seeking out feel
good or positive messages, for in doing
so, we will miss the loving correction and
discipline from you, our loving Father.
Your heart is always to gather your people
to you, to restore, and to deliver.
We
pray for our leaders today. For those who
have maintained righteousness in their hearts,
will you continue to guide them and lead
them so that they will humbly serve the
people with the right intentions. May they
not be swayed by bribery in any way, whether
through money, infiuence, or power.
I
pray that their focus will be for the good
of the people they have taken an oath to
serve. For those who may have fallen into
corruption, will you bring them back. Convict
their hearts, and may they see a vision
of what their original intention was when
they chose this position of servanthood.
I pray that they will see it for what it
is—a position of service rather than one
of power. We pray against any greed or evil
infiuences that may be infiltrating their
o£ices and minds. Surround them with
wise counsel, and may they hear your voice,
even if they don’t know what it sounds like.
We
pray for an upholding of justice and truth
and a responsible stewardship of the position
they’re in. May it never be a platform for
personal gain but rather a sacred and honored
place of service for the greater good of
society.
And
may we not be led astray in any way by those
who may be promising things that sound good.
This
is just a glimpse of what is to come when
the antichrist rules, so strengthen us in
these times of testing so that we are not
fooled when larger, more deceitful, and
more powerful tests present themselves.
Help us to strengthen others by the truth
of your Word. Help us to see the reality
of what destruction will come to those who
do not heed these words of warning.
While
it may not always be fun to listen to this
prophetic Word, it is so necessary, and
we thank you for showing us why. Because
when we don’t have a good understanding
of your thoughts and plans, we will be at
greater risk of being deceived by false
teaching.
And
we know that there is an urgency in these
last days to put the pedal to the metal
in the commissioning that you have set in
our hearts, because the time is drawing
nearer. The harvest is ripe, and the workers
are few. So for those of us who know that
we have been called to tell the world the
of the Good News, I pray that there will
be an increase in wisdom and knowledge,
divine appointments, and courage to be bold
in our faith and the declaring of your Word.
Your
goal is always redemption, so I pray that
we will do our part in that work. You didn’t
die so we could just bottle it up for today.
You died for the ones who weren’t even born
yet! You looked into the future, and you
continue to reveal the future to us through
your Word. So may we not ignore it or dismiss
it. Help us to understand it clearly so
that we can discern when others may try
to lead us astray or when they fail to teach
us corporately about it. We are grateful
for the glorious hope that is soon to come
to pass, when your promises are fulfilled.
So
thank you for unfolding your divine plan
for that redemption through Jesus. What
a beautiful reminder of the greatest things
coming from the smallest places. Humble
beginnings should never be despised. You
can make anything great—how that inspires
us today to continue to press in. May we
continue to do things fairly, treating others
with kindness, showing mercy that may not
be deserved, and walking humbly with you.
Keep our egos in check so that we can always
have a right view of ourselves as we rightly
see your goodness.
And
as we do, I pray that we will always be
dependent upon that goodness and never our
own perceived greatness. But if we forget
what these three things are that you have
asked of us, it can all be summed up into
one word that you so beautifully displayed
to all mankind: love. So may that be the
evidence of your Presence in our lives always
so that we can affect our homes, society,
and the world around us.
2
Chronicles 28 Ahaz is crowned king of Judah,
and during his reign, the people's morality
declines, and his kingdom is brought to
a humble state. The Lord allows the king
of Syria, with the help of Israel, to defeat
Judah, and the people are carried o£
as captives to Syria and Israel.
The
prophet, Oded, rebukes Israel for taking
their fellow brethren captive. Israel repents,
frees the captives, and escorts them back
to Judah fed and clothed.
The
Edomites and Philistines again defeat King
Ahaz and decide their gods are more powerful
than Yahweh and begin to sacrifice to the
gods of Syria. He defiles the house of the
Lord and builds altars to them throughout
Jerusalem and Judah, which provokes the
wrath of God.
2
Kings 16 gives continued detail of the wicked
reign of King Ahaz mentioned in 2 Chronicles
28. He sacrifices to the pagan gods and
further brings the people of Judah into
deep idolatry. As judgment, the Lord allows
the Syrian army to defeat Judah along with
the alliance of the kingdom of Israel.
Ahaz
petitions the help of Assyria for protection
and pays tribute from the treasuries in
the Temple and his palace. In bold defiance
to the Lord, he builds an altar, removes
furnishings from the Temple, and replaces
them with his idolatrous furnishings.
2
Kings 17 Hoshea, the king of Israel, begins
his reign. He pays tribute to the king of
Assyria. However, Assyria besieges Samaria
anyway and carries them o£ to their
lands.
The
rest of the chapter recalls how the kingdoms
of Israel and Judah continue to defile themselves.
They turn away from the Lord to fear other
gods despite the constant warnings from
the Lord and His prophets. In their refusal
to repent, judgment comes upon them.
Assyria
occupies the land of Israel, and a corrupted
worship of Yahweh is established in the
land alongside their pagan worship.
SACRIFICING
CHILDREN | 2 Chronicles 28:3
King
Ahaz was literally burning his children
on the altar of the god of Molech, which
is hard for most of us even to fathom. But
it made me check my heart for how we can
sacrifice our children in other ways—where
they are low on our totem pole because we
are working so hard to climb the corporate
ladder.
They
are burned by our impatience because we’re
so tired at the end of the day and give
them the worst of ourselves instead of the
best. We may even burn them with our lack
of discipline because we are so worried
about them not liking us.
But
the Bible says that a lack of discipline
is likened to hatred for a child. Heart
Check.
Are
your children being sacrificed on the altar
of a modern-day idol? Or is their future
being sacrified through lack of discipline?
MODERN
CAPTIVITY | 2 Chronicles 28:4-8
We
have seen throughout the history of Israel
that idolatry inevitably leads to captivity.
Again, we may not be o£ering sacrifices
on pagan altars. Still, any time something
becomes more important than God, whether
it be our jobs, selfish desires, families,
or ministry itself, it will hold us captive.
We
become slaves to what we worship. I remember
my husband telling me that he didn’t want
a big house because he believed that you
would live your life being a slave to it.
I’ll never forget that.
(**Sometimes,
I want to sell everything and drive off
in an RV. But I said that we need wifi to
get through Heart Dive 365.**) Heart Check.
What
is holding you captive? What are you serving
the most in your life?
COPYCAT
| 2 Kings 16:10-11
In
2 Chronicles 28, we read that Ahaz wanted
to make a copycat version of this altar
because he figured if the gods of Damascus
helped their people, then maybe they would
help him, too.
He
was looking at the worldly success of another
and trying to create his replica of it.
I thought to myself, imagine if he had just
turned to the Lord for instruction instead
of trying to make a counterfeit version
of another.
I
am such a believer in the uniqueness that
God has for each one of us. We can draw
inspiration from one another, but if you
try to copy something to a tee the way Ahaz
did, I don’t think you will live up to God's
potential for your life. Heart Check.
Are
you leaning into your uniqueness? So you
see how God wants to build uo your altar?
Or you looking to make a copycat version
of another based on someone else's success?
SATISFIED
| 2 Kings 17:15
It’s
no wonder that people end up amounting to
“nothing,” which is what becoming false
means. There is no longer truth in them.
They went after vanity and became vain or
empty.
Sometimes,
we feel empty or dissatisfied, so we look
around for something that can satisfy us.
We go to our pantry and binge-snack or scroll
social media for cheap entertainment, only
to feel even more dissatisfied.
That’s
what the Israelites were doing—they were
looking at the nations around them and following
what they were doing in hopes of getting
a cheap thrill instead of looking to the
only thing that truly brings satisfaction:
Truth.
I’ve
done a lot of snacking in my life, seeking
happiness in people, places, and things.
But I have never found the satisfaction
I now have in being immersed in Truth. This
is where we see it. All else is empty or
vain. Heart Check.
Are
you satisified? What are you following after
to find satisfaction or happiness?
Deep
Dive
What
lessons can be learned from the life and
leadership of Ahaz?
What
implications can be drawn from the effects
of a leader on their nation?
Where
do you see examples of divine intervention
in these chapters? Are there any modern
day examples that you have seen?
What
kinds of pressures do Christians face in
assimilating to culture or conforming to
sinfulness? How can we guard against this
infiuence?
What
heartbeats of God can be seen throughout
these chapters?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your incredible patience
and mercy.
You
called out to Israel for hundreds of years,
just the same way you do with us. Thank
you for giving us a chance to respond to
you and for giving us warnings of what is
to come. We are grateful that we have had
the chance to hear and understand the Truth
of your Word. I pray that we never let go
of it, for it is our life source. Everything
else is vain or empty, and while we may
gain temporary satisfaction from the things
of this world, we will ultimately end up
with nothing if we reject your Word, because
in doing so, we are rejecting you.
God,
we have seen how national disobedience and
refusal to repent can lead to turmoil. Oh
how we continue to pray for our nations
to hear your call and to turn their hearts
to you. Have mercy on us Lord, and please
do not forget your remnant of those who
seek your face. We have seen how you can
intervene in divine ways in the darkest
of times, so please do so now. May eyes
be open to your truth and righteousness.
Remove the distractions of the petty political
fights and may we fall to our knees in humility
before we have to be brought to our knees
in judgment.
We
continue to pray for godly leaders. Show
us who will serve with humility, and may
we fight the good fight in prayer, but also
at the polls and not in the streets. We
pray for love and civility to rule in our
hearts so that we are not constantly on
the edge of o£ense.
Help
us to be confident in our convictions so
that we don’t feel the need to fight unnecessary
battles. Give us ears that are willing to
listen to one another rather than coming
with our own biases, ready to fight without
even acknowledging what is at hand.
We
pray for our children, who are the future
generations. May they be trailblazers for
a spiritual revival in our countries and
communities. May they always seek your face
and follow after you with their whole heart.
Show
us how we can lead them today and not sacrifice
them on the modern day altars. We know that
love is spelled time, so I pray that they
will be of the highest priority after you
and our spouses. May we train them up in
the way they should go, so that when they
grow older, they will not depart from it.
Help us to be a godly role model in their
lives.
But
we also pray for their friends. May they
choose wisely the infiuences that surround
them. We pray for godly and solid friendships
that will fiourish and strengthen them.
May they not be swayed or become assimilated
to ungodly culture or infiuence.
If
there is anything that is holding us captive
today or if we have put anything before
you, may we be set free today. Show us where
to cut the ties and may we not be held in
bondage by our own selfish desires or carnal
cravings.
You
are the one and only true God, and we worship
you alone. Forgive us if we have done otherwise.
From this day forward, may our faith be
steadfast and our devotion to you be strong.
I pray that we seek communion and fellowship
with you rather than resorting to forming
alliances that will compromise our faith.
You are the only one who truly satisfies,
so may we keep you close to our hearts so
that we don’t stray from yours.
Isaiah
13 pronounces God's judgment upon Babylon
for the future attack and destruction they
will cause to God's people. The themes in
this chapter are the manner of their destruction,
the terrors they will face, and their land
being laid desolate.
Isaiah
14 is a future fulfillment of prophecy regarding
Satan and how he is revealed as the ultimate
king of Babylon. His fall from heaven, his
final judgment, and his destruction is detailed,
and in poetic nature, it describes how Hell
itself will welcome the opportunity to torture
the one who tortured all of humankind. The
judgment upon Assyria and the Philistines
for their part in the destruction and exile
of Israel is also mentioned.
Isaiah
15 is a prophecy of judgment regarding the
invasion of the people of Moab in the middle
of the night. The attack is described as
unexpected and complete and is recorded.
Even those who fiee will meet their end.
Isaiah
16 calls for Moab, although judgment will
befall them in the future, to continue not
to neglect to pay tribute to the people
of Israel and thus will submit to the Lord.
The heart of Isaiah is seen while he prophesies
that Moab will be brought to humility within
three years if they refuse repentance.
Isaiah
17 declares judgment for Syria and the kingdom
of Israel. During this time, some will respond
in complete humility towards the Lord, for
in their judgment, all they have worked
for will be taken from them. A judgment
is also pronounced on the nation that will
bring judgment upon Syria and Israel. In
the end, God sees justice served for all
wickedness.
FALL
OF BABYLON | Isaiah 13
Ultimately,
this is a grisly warning, not only for ancient
Babylon. Babylon symbolizes pride, dependence
on today’s world system, and anyone who
rejects Christ. In looking at it that way,
we are ripe for judgment.
Yesterday,
I posted a prayer for our nation to unite
under the banner of Christ. It wasn’t a
prayer for a specific political party or
person. It was a cry for mercy upon our
divided nation.
Yet
there were still people who came to fight
and point fingers. When we do that, we work
against the very thing we pray for. When
we fight each other, we are fighting ourselves
because a kingdom divided against itself
can’t stand. When we fight one another,
we are setting ourselves up to fall, and
the only people we can blame are ourselves
for being prideful and unwilling to humble
ourselves before the Lord and to love people.
Also, when you blame one politician for
the state of a nation, you are giving them
more power than they deserve. You are putting
them on the pedestal and trying to knock
them o£.
It's
backward idol worship when you give control
to someone and think that they alone have
infiuenced millions of people to act foolishly.
We need to take personal responsibility
for our actions and stop relying on a world
system that is clearly broken. Heart Check.
How
are you taking personal responsibility?
Are you fighting for unity? Or contributing
to the fall of Babylon by continuing to
fight with others?
AT
REST | Isaiah 14:3-4
There
will come a day when a believing Israel
is finally at rest from pain, turmoil, war,
and oppression. It’s a promise God has given
them, just as He has given us as believers.
Jesus
told us in Matt. 11:28 to come to him, all
who are weary, and He would give them rest.
Where
Jesus exists, fear cannot.
When
we believe in Him, there is no bondage.
When we rest in Him, He takes our sorrow
into joy. Heart Check.
Are
you free from fear, sorrow, and bondage?
Are you at rest with Jesus?
URGENT
ENDING | Isaiah 14:4
Here,
we see that Satan’s infiuence and rule over
this earth will come to an end—his days
are numbered. He is working overtime to
wreak havoc because he knows this!
Sometimes,
I think he believes in the Word of God more
than we do—he certainly lives out his time
on this earth with more urgency than we
have. How we live our lives should refiect
that the end is drawing near. None of us
will have the excuse that we didn’t know.
Heart Check.
How
does your understanding of this timeline
reflect the way you are living? Is there
an urgency?
GIVING
POWER | Isaiah 14:9-11
This
is a pretty exciting picture of hell rejoicing
when Satan enters. This shows us that he
isn’t as big of a dog as he thought. He
isn’t even lord or boss of hell.
When
he is cast into the lake of fire, he is
going there as a victim, not a victor, a
loser, not a winner, a prisoner, and not
a prince. And we sometimes give him way
more credit than he deserves. When someone
says, “The Devil made me do it.” No, he
didn’t. He may have infiuenced you but can’t
make you do anything. That was your choice.
Again,
it comes down to personal responsibility,
so we have got to stop allowing Satan to
have power over us that isn’t his. We are
not under his control. We are children of
the Most High God. Heart Check.
How
much power do you give the devil?
COMPASSION
| Isaiah 15:5
Here,
we see the compassion of Isaiah upon the
judgment and destruction of Moab. Why?
For
one, they’re distant relatives. But I believe
that Isaiah simply carried the heart of
God.Jesus never rejoiced over the destruction
of the people who rejected Him. He wept
over them.
It’s
the same today in the way that He does not
rejoice in the bombing of other nations
or the killing of leaders. This is the kind
of heart we need to have as well. Because
God loves all people, and there is not a
single person on this earth that is beyond
His love and redemption. Heart Check.
How
do youreact when you see the destruction
od a national rival or the downfall of someone
you don't care for? Do you rejoice in vengeance?
Or do you have compassion?
PRIDE
BUTTONS | Isaiah 15:6-7
Moab’s
#1 sin is pride and arrogance. I wouldn’t
hesitate to say that every one of us is
guilty of pride in some way, shape, or form
because pride is part of our fallen nature.
We know this when our hot buttons are pressed.
The only di£erence with us is that
we can get it right and not allow these
seeds of pride to grow into full-blown arrogance
as we humble our hearts to kill the weeds.
Heart Check.
What
are your pride buttons or pet peeves? How
do you react when someone pushed them? Do
you allow pride to thrive in your
heart??
Deep
Dive
What
kinds of attitudes persist in Babylon and
how are they evident today?
What
parallels can be drawn between the judgments
spoken and our current state of world powers?
Compare
Babylon and Moab. How are they di£erent
and what would they look like today?
How
does pride manifest itself in a nation?
How
can these judgments act as words of comfort,
as they were intended to be?
How
does seeing the fulfillment of these prophecies
strengthen your faith?
There
is no nation, no power, no person, that
is out of your control. You rule over all,
for you are sovereign, and your divine justice
will soon break forth. I pray that we are
doing our part in preparing, not just our
own souls, but every person, so that none
are caught o£ guard. We know you do
not judge without warning, so we will continue
to publicly declare your goodness and righteousness
and pray that hearts will turn to you.
We
see the modern parallels of our world system
to Babylon. We plead for your mercy. Give
us humble hearts so that we will stop fighting
each other. Let us not give a false sense
of power to others while we refuse to take
any responsibility on our own. Help us to
keep our head down while fighting on our
knees instead of fighting with each other.
For we know that a house divided against
itself cannot stand, and we do not want
to contribute to the fall of our own.
But
we thank you that where judgment is bound,
your mercy extends even further. Your purpose
of restoration and peace will prevail, for
you will finish what you started. Your purpose
will always stand. So I pray that we find
hope in that today. We know that every human
power will be diminished, and that every
title will be erased. This is why we can’t
put our hope in man. Our hope is in you,
and you alone. Thank you for allowing us
to rest in that.
We
are free now, so I pray that we will walk
in that freedom and never hold ourselves
in the bondage of fear that the enemy tries
to keep us under. His days are numbered.
He, too, will fall, and as heaven rejoices
at your victory, so will hell at his welcoming
in. Let us remember that when we think we
are falling weak under his oppression or
attack, for you are greater than all, and
there is no weapon that forms against us
that can prosper.
You
are our strong tower in whom we find refuge.
So may we not give make believe power to
the enemy or anyone else. You are all powerful.
You are in control. You are sovereign. And
by the power of your blood and your Word,
we also have the power to overcome anything
today.
I
pray that our lives will be rooted in and
aligned with compassion, mercy, and righteousness.
May
our love for all people mirror your heart.
Not just people like us, but even those
who do us harm, both nationally and personally.
Help us to understand that there is no one
who is beyond your saving grace.
We
are not asking to be martyrs, but if it
does mean that we sacrifice something so
that others can be saved, we know there
is no greater love than that. The least
we can do is sacrifice our pride and self-righteousness
in the name of mercy and compassion.
So
kill any weeds of pride or arrogance that
may be trying to take root in our hearts,
whether personally, corporately, or nationally.
We
know what the outcome of allowing it to
thrive is, and it isn’t pretty. We don’t
want to be subject to that downfall, so
I pray that our hearts will be humble before
you always. Give us a good supplement of
humility so that we don’t have to drink
it shamefully.
I
pray that we never forget you, and always
rely on you, never forming alliances with
any kind of false security on this earth.
We know that true security and prosperity
comes from our relationship with you.
Nothing
else can satisfy. Thank you for this assurance
that you will always come to our rescue
and divinely deliver. It is such a timeless
promise that rings true today, that when
we genuinely rely on you, we will be strengthened
and be at peace. Thank you for that hope.
Isaiah
18 is a chapter, unlike the rest of the
book, which just contains a warning: Judah
should not align themselves with Ethiopia.
Ambassadors have come to try to convince
the king of Judah to rebel against Assyria
and join an alliance with Ethiopia. A word
from the Lord is told from Isaiah to trust
only Him for their protection from Assyria
and Ethiopia. A future time is also prophesied,
and a day will come when Ethiopia comes
to Mount Zion to worship the Lord.
Isaiah
19 predicts a civil war among the Egyptian
people. Their leaders will be replaced with
cruel and fearsome rulers. The Nile will
dry up, foolish counsel will be spoken in
the land, and terror will be among the people.
After all this will take place, there will
be a day when the Egyptians will call out
to Yahweh. A day will also come when Assyria,
Egypt, and Israel will be at peace with
one another
In
Isaiah 20, the Lord gives Isaiah a symbolic
sign of Egypt and Ethiopia's future: They
will be humiliated by Assyria and taken
as captives. This sign further clarifies
the warning from God in chapter 18, where
the Lord reminds Judah that He has a plan
and will work for their good.
Isaiah
21, an army is prophesied to defeat and
bring the Lord's judgment upon Babylon.
The people in this land will be caught unaware,
and great distress will characterize the
land as they prepare for war. Judgments
to come upon Edom and Arabia are also spoken.
Isaiah
22 states that the city of Jerusalem will
not be exempt from the judgments that fall
upon the land. They have fallen into idolatry
and violence alongside the rest of the surrounding
nations. The day will soon come when Jerusalem
will see destruction and no longer be a
place of worship for the people. They will
attempt to build their defenses for a siege
instead of turning to the Lord their God,
and He will no longer provide protection.
King Hezekiah's chief steward, Shebna, is
chastised by the Lord for his foolish counsel
and prophecy that he will perish in exile.
Shebna will be replaced by Eliakim, who
accepts the Lord's wise counsel.
CONFUSION
| Isaiah 19:11-15
One
of the Lord's curses or judgments is to
remove wise counsel and bring a spirit of
confusion. Some would say, “I thought God
was not a God of confusion.” He’s not. But
this speaks of people who have strayed from
or rejected Him.
They
are getting the opposite of His wisdom and
clarity. Sadly, in this state of confusion,
their desperation will lead them to look
to anything and everything for answers.
But
we know that the Lord is the only trustworthy
source of wisdom. Every answer we need can
be found in or guided by His Word. Heart
Check.
When
you are confused about something, where
do you go for answers? Who do you seek for
counsel?
BARING
IT ALL | Isaiah 20:2
It
would’ve been entirely humiliating and embarrassing
for Isaiah to walk around half-naked for
three years. But that was God’s purpose—He
needed to do something extreme to get the
people’s attention. And Isaiah was faithful
to bare it all before them. He will ask
the same of us.
We
often shy away from sharing the naked truth
with people because we’re ashamed or embarrassed.
Or we haven’t yet given our testimony for
the same reasons. But when you finally get
to a place of understanding what Jesus did
and the way that He died naked and exposed
for us, simply because He loved us, it will
bring you to a place where you are willing
to do the same. Heart Check.
Are
you baring it all for the glory of God?
Or are you still sitting in shame and embarraeement
of your own testimony or willingness to
share the gospel? Are you willing to do
things that may seem illogical?
WATCHMEN
| Isaiah 21:11-12
Jesus
called us to be watchmen of His coming.
I believe that as we continue to draw nearer
to His return and as the world becomes darker
and darker, people will start to turn to
the church to ask how much longer they will
have to endure in darkness, just as these
people were asking the watchmen.
This
is a huge responsibility but not one to
be feared. Because as we draw nearer to
His coming, the world will seem darker,
but our eyes will become brighter as we
begin to see His prophecies fulfilled.
The
closer His light gets, the more colorful
things become. It is an honor to be living
in such a time. But Jesus also said that
if we live as if His return is not imminent,
and we say, “Ahh, we’ve got time,” we will
be called hypocrites. Think about it—if
Jesus told us, “Okay, guys, today’s the
day. I’ll be there around 3 P.M.”
We
would be doing our best, making things right
with people, and probably witnessing with
fervency. We wouldn’t waste time gossiping,
criticizing, or hanging out with the wrong
people. We would gather with those we love
and say everything we wish we had said earlier.
So why wait? Heart Check.
Are
things becoming brighter to you? Or darker?
How are you being a watchman? Are you living
as if His return is imminent?
STEWARDING
GIFTS | Isaiah 22:15-24
Because
Shebna was arrogant and lived to die in
an honorable state rather than dying to
his selfish ambition, any honor he was given
was taken away and given to another who
would use it to bless the Lord. I believe
that had he turned back to the Lord, he
could’ve gained that honor back because
the gifts of God are without repentance.
But if we don’t steward those gifts and
only use them for our self-glory, He will
give them to someone else.
Because
Godly people will use Godly things to change
their lives and the lives of others. But
carnal people will use Godly things to bless
their lives and justify their actions. Heart
Check.
How
are you stewarding your life and the gifts
God has given to you?
Deep
Dive
What
parallels can be drawn between these prophecies
and the current state of the world?
What
role does prophecy play in global events?
Is everything a part of God’s plan?
How
do these prophecies affect your daily living
and walk with God?
Look
at the various items of symbolism throughout
these chapters. What do they represent and
how might they have a deeper meaning?
In
what ways is the heartbeat of God on display
throughout these chapters?
Heavenly
Father, We acknowledge your sovereignty
once again today.
Lands
that may be far away from us are so near
to your heart. Not a single person in this
world goes unnoticed, and your heart is
always to bring them home with you. We thank
you for this divine gift of grace that calls
everyone to repentance. We pray that our
nations will hear your voice and heed the
call. May they respond in humility and turn
to you the way the people of Cush and Ethiopia
did. May we be one church, under the hand
of God, that is indivisible.
May
our faith remain steadfast as we wait upon
your move. Sometimes it may seem as though
you are delayed, but we know that your timing
is perfect, and that you will intervene
in the right way and time so that your perfect
purpose can be fulfilled. Help us to have
patience and may we not grow weary in the
times of waiting for your redemption and
transformation. We don’t know if we will
ever see the global harmony in our lifetime
on this earth, but are guaranteed to see
it through the filter of eternity. What
a beautiful day that will be.
Until
then, I pray that we solely trust in you,
not forming any sort of worldly alliances
or putting our trust in things that promise
a false security. It may seem logical or
even righteous based upon outward appearances,
but you don’t judge the outward appearance
but the very heart of a man (1 Sam. 16:7).
So
I pray that we will have heightened discernment
and not be fooled into putting our hope
in man or institutions based upon a godly
exterior. Simply going to church or believing
in God doesn’t determine the character of
a man—even the devil goes to church and
believes in you. But Jesus, you said we
would know a tree by its fruit. So let us
not forget that.
Thank
you, Jesus, for baring it all for us. You
hung on a tree, naked, ashamed, and exposed.
Yet you didn’t, for one second, consider
backing out. That’s how much you love us.
I pray that we will have that kind of love
and devotion to you. Your heart is never
to put us to shame—that’s the devil’s job.
But
sometimes, we need certain things to be
exposed for the greater good. We need to
allow ourselves to be a little “embarrassed”
for the sake of the gospel. But we also
know that when we fear you more than man,
it won’t be embarrassing bur rather empowering
when we begin to walk in the boldness of
our testimony and faith. If that means the
world rejects us, then we are in good company,
for it also rejected you.
Even
within this prophetic word that seems full
of doom and gloom, there is still such a
subtle reassurance of your sovereignty within
it. We are grateful that you have given
us a guidebook all the way to the end of
time as we know it. We know the details
of how everything will pan out, and we have
the job of the watchmen, to know and understand
that the coming of the Lord is imminent,
and therefore we need to prepare the way.
Help us to see clearly, the signs of the
times, and never to fear it, but instead
bolster our faith by the faithfulness of
your promises. The closer you get to us,
the clearer we will see and the more grim
the sight of the world will become. Help
us to be that beacon on a hilltop for them.
Let us shine the light for them to make
their way out of darkness.
Thank
you for all these reminders today, and also
for the reminder of the importance of humility
and repentance. No matter what, we are never
too far gone if we are still breathing.
There is still a way back to you, so I pray
that we never take the time we have for
granted. None of us know the day or the
time that you will return, so we never want
to assume that we can just live it up as
we please. We know that you will come like
a thief in the night, and the ones who are
living as if they are going to “get it right
later” will face an even greater battle.
So
we hear you today. We want to live each
day as if it is our last, not with a heart
of sadness but with gladness. We know that
the end of our days on earth are the glorious
beginning that far surpasses anything we
have every known in this lifetime. So may
we steward everything you’ve given to us,
from our families to the time we have to
the gifts we’ve been given. May our hearts
be God-centered and kingdom focused.
Isaiah
23 pronounces judgment upon Tyre, an essential
harbor in the ancient world where trade
and shipping were centralized and wealth
was abundant.
In
the future, they would see their port destroyed,
along with their wealthy status. The destruction
of their entire city will be brought to
ruin and humbled. After seventy years, the
Lord promises they will be able to rebuild
according to His plan, and even though they
will return to their idolatrous ways, He
will again allow them to become a wealthy
port of commerce.
Isaiah
24 describes the nature of God's judgment
upon mankind and all His creation. Even
the earth will cry out as its surface is
forever changed. The unrepentant and rebellious
will face His wrath as He no longer provides
His hedge of protection, and destruction
will cover the land.
Prosperity,
abundance, and joy will not be found and
will be replaced with fear, strife, and
death. No part of creation will escape the
justice of the Lord when His judgment comes
to completion.
Isaiah
25 speaks of God's people praising the Lord
for His justice. His people rejoice for
His perfect and righteous justice, which
provides protection to the physically and
spiritually neglected and impoverished.
There will be great rejoicing on the day
of final judgment when all evil will have
been defeated, and righteousness will abound
in the world.
Isaiah
26 rejoices in the day of the Messiah's
ultimate triumph over evil and wickedness
and contrasts God's things with mankind's.
In the kingdom of the Lord, there will be
perfect peace, strength, and righteousness
for all.
However,
mankind's cities will ultimately be humbled
and end in disasters. The glory of the Lord
will be pronounced from those bearing humble
hearts towards Him, and a prophecy of resurrection
and promise of refuge from the coming disasters
for those who seek security in the Lord
are detailed.
Isaiah
27 prophesies future judgment to fall upon
Leviathan on the day of ultimate judgment.
On
that day, God's people will be protected,
fiourish, and receive mercy, as they will
not receive the degree of a£liction
to be poured out to the nations. All will
one day be gathered and submit to the One,
True Lord, worshiping Him in the revived
Jerusalem.
PRAISE
IN TRIBULATION | Isaiah 25:1
If
reading about these prophecies brings your
heart grief, take note of Isaiah. He was
the one physically seeing these prophecies
and looking where they took him—to a place
of praise. While it grieved his heart to
initially see these things, he understood
and trusted in God's just nature. Heart
Check.
Are
you able to praise God in times of tribulation?
PERFECT
PEACE | Isaiah 26:3
The
term perfect peace is “shalom shalom” in
Hebrew. This shows us how the repetition
of a word in Hebrew emphasizes its meaning.
While
we can all attain this state of being, it’s
not something that is permanent. It has
to be pursued, and only the Lord can get
us there. And it begins with our minds.
What
we set our minds on will determine the state
of our thoughts and, therefore our actions.
When we set our minds on things above—true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, worthy of praise—Paul
says to think about these things. He also
tells us that we are to have the mind of
Christ because every sin begins with a thought.
Every
insecurity or fear begins in our minds.
What we watch on the news or read on social
media, or even keeping our minds set on
our problems—will affect our peace. Heart
Check.
Do
you have that perfect peace? What is occuping
your thoughts?
STRETCHING
| Isaiah 26:15
Our
God is a God of increase. He loves to increase
us today just as He increased the people
of Judah
While
He could give us a boost by allowing us
to win the Powerball or hit the Megabucks
here in Vegas, the Lord instead chooses
to increase us through opportunities that
will stretch us. I once heard that we must
be like Gumby: "Blessed are the fiexible,
for they will not get bent out of shape.”Heart
Check.
How
flexible are you? Areyou allowing the Lord
to stretch you?
Deep
Dive
How
does the prophecy on Tyre challenge or a£irm
your understanding of success, downfall,
and restoration?
What
does the prophecy of the Great Tribulation
do for your faith? Does it a£irm your
faith in a just and sovereign God? Or bring
fear?
How
does it affect the choices you make
in these “last days”?
Is
the banquet in chapter 25 literal or symbolic?
Where will this take place? And what will
it be like? What verses support this conclusion?
How
have you seen God’s heartbeat in these chapters?
Is it the same God from the earlier chapters?
Or does He seem different to you?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for always providing
a promise and a chance for restoration.
You
are the one who lifts up but also the one
who tears down. We can work with you, rising
with you, or we can try to get ahead of
you, only to be caught up by our own pride,
selfish ambition, and eventual fall. So
I pray that we will not work against you
in this life. This life is temporary anyway,
so help us to remember that each day. It
doesn’t matter in the end how much power
or wealth we store up here. What matters
is what we did with it and how we stewarded
it for your glory and your kingdom. Show
us how we can do that in practical ways.
We
know that every good gift comes from above,
so we thank you for showering blessings
upon us and for every gift that is still
in your hands and yet to be given to us.
We thank you for any accomplishments or
goals that are attained. I pray that we
will know how to set them apart and keep
them holy. This doesn’t mean we dump our
entire bank account into a church or ministry.
But how can we honor you in our success
and how can we be a blessing if we have
the means to do so? Holy Spirit, please
guide us in that.
In
these turbulent times we live in, it pales
in comparison to what is to come in the
day of your judgment upon the whole earth.
We pray and ask for mercy, to be saved and
protected from having to endure such calamity.
We pray for our unsaved family and friends
to turn to you now so that they will not
have to face those challenging times. We
realize that no one knows the day or hour
that you will return, so I pray that we
will simply live as if you’re returning
today. We will hold on to the hope that
you will rapture your church before the
tribulation, but also understand that you
may not. I would rather be prepared in the
case that you don’t, so that we are not
easily deceived by the great deceiver in
the end. So until the day that we depart,
may we bear witness to your goodness and
faithfulness. May we be evangelists, taking
the Good News to the ends of the earth.
The entire world needs your love, your covering,
and your peace. Let us be the instruments
in sharing it.
As
we crave your perfect peace today, help
us to see that it begins on the inside of
each one of us. Even international confiicts
can be boiled down to the the thoughts of
man and what they are setting their minds
on. May we keep our minds set on you and
your truth so that we do not become swayed
by the world’s corruption. So may we be
anxious for nothing, pray about everything,
and always have grateful hearts. We know
that when we put our stakes into our Rock
of Ages, we will be steady, as your unchanging
love and mighty power uphold us. May we
never forget that we are never alone and
that you are always with us.
Ultimately,
this is a beautiful testament to your redemptive
power and promise for restoration, which
gives us hope. So we put our trust in you,
as you prepare a feast for us. We look forward
to the day when every tear is wiped away
and there is nothing but rejoicing and gladness.
We find peace in knowing you will bring
justice to the wicked and level the path
of the righteous. There will be no more
traversing and straining.
Until
then, we will continue to earnestly seek
you and trust that every opportunity, whether
productive or painful, is an opportunity
to become bitter or better. If out of the
pain comes prayer, then out of the pain
will also come fruit. So may we continue
to take root and blossom, allowing you to
nurture, care for, and water us with your
Word. I pray that as we grow, we will share
the fruit of the Spirit with the whole world.
2
Kings 18 begins Hezekiah's reign over Judah,
characterized as righteous in the Lord's
sight when he removes idolatry from the
land and ensures the Lord's commands are
kept.
God
blesses Judah under him, and in his faith,
can resist the king of Assyria and bring
the Philistines under subjugation.
Israel
is taken captive and exiled to Assyria.
Seeing their relatives defeated, Hezekiah
begins to lack faith in the Lord, seeks
mercy from the Assyrian king, and pays tribute
from the treasuries of the Temple and his
palace. Rabshakeh attempts to shake Hezekiah's
faith and confidence through the end of
the chapter.
2
Chronicles 29 details Hezekiah's work in
2 Kings 18 as he purifies the Temple and
removes idolatry from the land. He sees
the cleansing and restoration of the house
of the Lord and the priests who will minister
before the Lord. All of Judah celebrates
the return of sacrifice, o£erings,
and worship to the Lord.
2
Chronicles 30, Hezekiah invites the kingdom
of Israel to join Judah in the celebration
of Passover. His messengers bring back news
that his message has not been widely accepted.
However, a small remnant of people welcomes
the invitation.
They
celebrate Passover with worship, godly teaching,
and fellowship. Of particular note, the
people of Israel have not rejoiced in this
manner since the days of Solomon.
2
Chronicles 31 begins Hezekiah's task of
removing idolatrous images and places of
worship throughout Judah. He restores the
priestly duties, tithing, and distribution
to the Levites. The Lord accepts his sacrifices
and blesses his reign.
Psalm
48 poetically sings a joyful song of praise
to the Lord on His throne and over Mount
Zion. No army who comes up against His city
is victorious, as fear and panic grip His
enemies. His throne is eternal, and His
reign is characterized by righteousness,
patience, complete justice, and faithfulness.
UNINTENTIONAL
IDOLATRY | 2 Kings 18:4
This
was the bronze serpent the Lord instructed
Moses to make as a symbol of God’s presence
and power. Anytime one was bitten by the
venomous snakes around them; they would
simply look upon the serpent and be healed.
This
serpent looked to the cross in the same
way that we call upon the name of the Lord
and are saved. But sadly, the people began
worshipping the thing that was supposed
to lead them to their healer.
This
shows us that good things that were never
intended to be idols can easily become one.
This includes our jobs, positions, political
leaders, and even pastors and worship leaders.
These are all things in the natural that
are meant to point us to the supernatural.
They are merely a means to an end, and it
happens subtly. Heart Check.
Is
there something you may unintentionally
create an idol out in your life? Do you
put something or someone on a pedestal that
becomes what you turn to in time of need
instead of God?
CALLED
BACK | 2 Chronicles 29:11
Under
King Ahaz, the Levites had been stripped
of their service and rendered ine£ective.
But
Hezekiah is calling them back to their central
purpose and calling, reminding them that
they have been chosen for ministry. Each
one of us has been selected as well. The
moment Jesus calls your name, you are chosen.
But sometimes, we render ourselves ine£ective
and call ourselves out of service by simply
neglecting this call to minister.
We
must remember that ministering does not
necessarily mean that you preach from a
pulpit or lead worship only with a microphone.
Your worship and ministry can happen in
your home, in your school, or your workplace,
even without “breaking the rules” of not
speaking about “religion.”
Our
greatest ministry is shining the light of
Christ in how we live and treat people.
If we truly love and worship the Lord, our
character will prove it, and so will our
love, which encompasses things like forgiveness,
kindness, gentleness, how much peace we
have, or even the way we practice self-control.
Heart Check.
Have
you been rendered ineffective? Do you neeed
to be called back to your central purpose
in ministering?
DEALING
WITH DIRT | 2 Kings 29:16
Here,
we see that the cleanup started from the
inside out. They could’ve quickly done any
cosmetic repairs on the outside and left
the inside as is, but Hezekiah knew that
what went on inside the temple was far more
critical than what it looked like on the
outside.
So,
he dealt with the dirt first. It’s sort
of like vacuuming or sweeping your fioors
before mopping. Otherwise, leaving the dirt
behind just creates mud.
Most
of us know that dirt and dust build up quickly,
and it feels like we are constantly dusting
and vacuuming. We, too, need to clean our
hearts continually. This happens through
daily confession, and He will be faithful
to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness
(1 Jn. 1:9). Heart Check.
Is
there any dirt on the inside that you need
to deal with? Or are you more concerned
with how you appear on the outside?
RESPONSIVE
GIVING | 2 Chronicles 31:8
We
see that generosity is one of the natural
responses to spiritual revival. When the
goodness and grace of God bless us if we
genuinely recognize that, there will be
a natural desire to want to respond by giving.
Heart Check.
How
are you responding to the grace and goodness
of God?
HEARD
& SEEN | Psalm 48:8
This
basically means that all the things they
heard of the Lord are now coming to pass.
How can we be faithful to pray for things
in the future if we do not know what He
did in the past or what He’s continuing
to do in the present? As believers and as
students of the Word, we should be able
to confidently say this. Heart Check.
Are
you confident in saying, "As I have
heard, so have I seen"?
TAKING
NOTE | Psalm 48:12-14
Earlier,
we spoke about Jerusalem’s vulnerability
to the north. Here, the psalmist says, “Go
take a look around Jerusalem and take note
of her strengths and defenses.”
This
applies to us in that we should know where
we are weak so the Lord can show Himself
strength. However, we also need to be aware
of our strengths so we do not let our defenses
down in those areas. Frequently, it is in
the places where we think we are the strongest
that we end up faltering. Heart Check.
Have
you taken note of your vulnerabilities and
your strengths lately?
Deep
Dive
Where
did Hezekiah have challenges with faith?
How might we see similar situations in our
own lives and how should we react?
What
aspects of Hezekiah’s character inspire
you?
What
would a practical or modern-day Assyria
be in the life of a Christian? How should
we deal with it?
How
might the cleansing and restoration of the
temple be applied today?
What
does the allowance of Levites to do priestly
ministries and unclean people to partake
in the Passover say about the heart of God?
Heavenly
Father, We praise you for your unwavering
faithfulness.
I
pray that our response to that will always
be a faith that is unshakeable. Even when
we are facing what may seem like insurmountable
odds, let us always recognize that you will
always show yourself strong in our weaknesses
if we submit them to you. But if we try
to deal with it on our own, we may end up
making unintentional deals with the devil
just to “keep the peace.” So I pray that
we won’t do that. May you always stand between
us and the enemy. Hold our tongue for us
when we feel as though we can’t control
it.
If
we have, in any way, created an idol out
of something that was intended for good
and even for worship, please forgive us.
Show us where we may be doing so, and I
pray that we never place anything before
you. There are no other gods before you.
We worship you alone. There is no thing
or no one who can save us, so may our trust
always be in you alone, especially in times
of personal, societal, or even global crises.
When
the enemy tries to sow seeds of fear and
doubt, remind us that where there is perfect
love, fear must be cast out. Help us to
remain steadfast and anchored in your Word,
so that when the wind blows, we will not
be driven out and blown over. We know that
if we have faith as tiny as a mustard seed
and do not doubt, we can move mountains.
May we never forget that.
Thank
you, that even if we do ever stray, you
always provide a path back to righteousness.
There is nothing that can rival your transformative
power. Thank you, Jesus, for being the atoning
sacrifice that was so needed. By your blood,
we are made clean. But may we never take
that free gift of grace for granted and
always recognize that there is a constant
cleansing that needs to take place to maintain
our temple, just as we maintain the physical
state of our own homes. We live in a world
full of dirt, and even if we don’t intend
to get dirty, we inevitably will, because
that’s just the state of our fallen nature.
Recognizing that is the first step in our
own personal humility. The next is confession
and then continual obedience follows.
I
pray that when there is a spiritual transformation
or restoration, that you will keep our hearts
pure so our worship will be without blemish.
Help us to clearly see what true worship
is so that we never pollute it unintentionally.
As we begin to personally restore our own
temples, we pray for a collective restoration
and revival in our churches, communities,
and nations. Show us how we can promote
that spiritual renewal in our spheres of
infiuence. I pray that we will be able to
see rejoicing and unity within our nations
as a result of people turning their hearts
to you.
I
pray that we can all have the heart of Hezekiah,
who ultimately mirrored your heart in his
fight to bring the people back to worship,
back to fellowship, and back to unity. We
know that where there is unity, you will
command a blessing, and that’s exactly what
happened in this time. The ones who chose
not to be stubborn and continue in their
hatred for one another, had joy restored.
Oh
how I pray that this be the case for the
division among us. Please let us be instruments
and couriers of your gracious invitation
to come to the party of repentance and revival.
We pray for leaders who will fight for the
same unity in our communities and in our
nations. May they serve from a place of
humility, wisdom, and service, fighting
for righteousness and not power. May our
hearts be zealous in this fight, but may
they always remain righteous and never self-righteous
or condemning in any way.
Show
us how we can be generous today with our
time, talent, and treasure. Our hearts desire
to give unto you, but Lord, you don’t need
our stu£, you just want our hearts.
But part of the giving of our hearts to
you comes by way of giving unto others.
Holy Spirit, guide us in how and where we
are to do that.
We
pray for the generations above and below
us. Thank you for those who have paved the
way and also for those who will walk in
our footsteps. May we leave a path that
leads them to glory. I pray that as they
walk out their callings, that they will
have a firm footing as they continue to
seek and serve you enthusiastically and
with their whole hearts. We know that when
we do that, we will prosper. We give you
all the honor, glory, and praise, our Defender
and our Guide.
Hosea
1; God tells Hosea to marry Gomer, an unfaithful
woman, symbolizing Israel’s unfaithfulness
to God. They have three children, each with
symbolic names refiecting God’s judgment
and hope for Israel.
Hosea
2; God describes Israel’s betrayal but promises
restoration. He will lead them through hardships
to bring them back to Him, and once they
repent, He will show them love and mercy.
Hosea
3 ;Hosea redeems Gomer, showing God’s love
for Israel despite their sins. Hosea’s act
of love refiects God’s readiness to forgive
and renew His covenant with His people.
Hosea
4; God accuses Israel of idolatry, lying,
and lack of knowledge. The priests fail
to teach the people, leading to widespread
sin and ignorance of God’s ways.
Hosea
5; God’s judgment on Israel and Judah is
announced due to their sins. They will face
consequences until they genuinely seek God
and turn from their wrongdoings.
Hosea
6; Israel’s insincere repentance is criticized.
God desires steadfast love and knowledge,
not empty rituals. Their actions must refiect
a genuine return to Him.
Hosea
7; Israel’s deceit and alliances with foreign
nations are condemned. The people’s sinful
desires are compared to a heated oven burning
with evil.
RIPPLE
EFFECTS | Hosea 1:2
In
Hosea 1:2, God instructs Hosea to marry
Gomer, an unfaithful woman, to symbolize
Israel's unfaithfulness to God. This marriage
is a vivid illustration of how Israel, like
Gomer, has pursued carnal desires and idols,
leading them away from God's covenant love.
Refiect
on how our carnal desires and behaviors
impact not just ourselves but also our children
and community. Just like in an economic
experiment, where the direct, indirect,
and induced e£ects are measured, consider
the ripple e£ects of your actions
in various aspects of life—parenting, marriage,
work, and discipleship. Heart Check.
Ask
yourself if your actions lead others towards
God or away from Him? Are you making choices
that reflect God's love and righteousness?
HEDGE
OF THORNS Hosea 2:6, 14-15
In
Hosea 2:6, 14-15, God speaks of hedging
Israel's way with thorns to prevent them
from continuing in their sinful paths. This
hedge of thorns is a form of God's protection,
intended to return their hearts to Him.
How
might trials and turmoil in your life be
blessings in disguise, designed to protect
you from further sin and to turn your heart
back to God? Personal experiences of hardship
can often lead to a deeper reliance on God
and a greater appreciation of His grace.
God uses di£icult circumstances to
draw us closer to Him and to cleanse us
from sin. Heart Check.
Are
you being poked with conviction? are you
seeking and obeying the tender voice of
the Lord?
YOU
ARE MY GOD | Hosea 2:23
Jezreel
means "to scatter," and God is
changing the word to signify "to plant."
He is planting a seed, remembering He is
the root of Jesse. God is going to rebuild,
restore, and redeem the people. He's not
doing it with just anything; He will scatter
those seeds today. He will rebuild, restore,
and redeem the people, scattering those
seeds to regrow them. Heart Check.
What
are you planting in your life today so that
you will hear from God, "You are my
people", and respond to Him with, "You
are my God"?
REDEEMED
| Hosea 3
Hosea
3 illustrates Hosea's redemption of Gomer,
mirroring God's redemption of Israel. Despite
her unfaithfulness, Hosea buys Gomer back,
symbolizing God's unwavering love and willingness
to forgive His people.
This
topic is emotionally significant for me,
as I have a powerful testimony to share,
though I won't use names. I've witnessed
a situation akin to Hosea and Gomer, with
the roles reversed. This woman endured immense
hardship for five long years, raising five
children alone, all the while praying and
believing that God would redeem her marriage.
She never wavered in her faith or turned
away from God.
Her
husband eventually returned, broken, humiliated,
and ashamed. He confessed that every day
he was away, he felt the overwhelming pressure
of the Lord to the point of being unable
to breathe. He realized that to lift the
weight and despair, he needed to return
home. As he drove closer to his family and
to God, the burden lifted, and their marriage
was restored.
The
journey wasn't easy, as the wounds and scars
of the broken covenant a£ected their
children and community. However, now we
can savor the joy and hope of their restored
marriage. This story o£ers hope not
only for those with broken marriages but
also for anyone with a broken relationship
with God. It can be redeemed. Heart Check.
Is
it time for God to redeem your relationship
wit Him?
DON’T
TOUCH THE STOVE | Hosea 7:4
Hosea
7:4 warns about the hidden dangers of sin,
likening it to a fire brimming under the
surface, ready to cause harm.
Sin
can be a hidden danger, slowly provoking
God's anger and leading to judgment. None
of them calls upon Him. We've heard the
warning our entire lives: "Don't touch
the oven; it's hot." As children, we
don't understand that there's a smoldering,
hidden danger within the oven. We might
see a glass top or be unable to see the
fire inside where the bread is baking or
the ham is cooking. If we're not careful,
opening an old clay oven can let in oxygen,
causing a blazing fire that can engulf us,
singeing our hair and eyebrows.
Similarly,
we need to be cautious of smoldering fires
in our lives. Is there a sin nature lurking
just below the surface, dangerous and waiting
to devour us? For me, that hidden sin is
idleness. This ministry is a gift, but too
much idleness leads me to laziness, thinking
I deserve rest. Yet, this insignificant
smoldering fire prevents me from doing God's
will and fulfilling His purpose.
Through
my friendship with Kanoy and helping Heart
Dive fiourish by making videos and sharing
God's word, I know I'm in His purpose. So,
heart check:
Is
there a smoldering fire in your life waiting
to devour you?
MISSING
THE MARK| Hosea 7
Did
you see the part about the treacherous bow?
This imagery is found throughout the Bible,
even in the New Testament, symbolizing missing
the mark. A crooked arrow or a bent, broken
bow cannot hit the target. The mark we aim
for is obedience to God, putting Him first.
So,
are you following the straight and narrow
path? Are you hitting the mark of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ? If not, why not? What is
making you stumble and miss the target of
living for God?
What
is leading you astray and causing you to
miss the mark of living for God? Do you
have a treacherous bow?
Deep
Dive
How
does Hosea’s marriage to Gomer symbolize
God's relationship with Israel, and
What
do the names of their children signify in
terms of God's judgment and hope for Israel?
In
what ways does God express both His judgment
and His promise of restoration for Israel?
How
does Hosea’s act of redeeming Gomer reflect
God’s love and willingness to forgive Israel?
What
does redeeming Gomer teach us about the
nature of God’s mercy and grace?
What
does genuine repentance look like? What
does this teach us about the importance
of heartfelt devotion over empty rituals?
Heavenly
Father, Your love is amazing, and I am so
thankful for Your steadfastness.
I
ask that You show up in a big and mighty
way in our lives. Lord, help us to stop
playing at church and turning away from
You, and to stop seeking fulfillment in
things that cannot truly provide for us
or bless our lives.
Just
as Hosea loved and redeemed his wife, even
though she was unfaithful, You do the same
for us. I am so thankful for the mercy and
grace You have showered upon me.
Please
continue to shower Your mercy and grace
upon this nation and across the whole world
to those who have been listening, praying,
and yearning to know You intimately.
Let
whatever hedge of thorns that has walled
up against their hearts fall down, so that
they will know You in such an intimate way
that they will follow You every step of
their lives from here on out. Thank You
for Your redeeming, unfailing love that
we see mirrored in the relationship between
Hosea and Gomer.
As
hard as it may have been for him to walk
that road, he obediently trusted You, followed
You, and even shared Your word with those
living in sin. Lord, if we are in a smoldering
pot of sin, please point it out to us. Show
us the sin nature that is keeping us from
truly knowing You and repenting of this
lifestyle that is defiling our lives.
Your
grace is sufficient, Your love is sufficient,
and You give life abundantly. Thank You
for Jesus Christ and for the redeemed relationship
we can have with You. It is not based on
sacrifices or anything we can do on our
own but solely because of Your grace.
Thank
You, Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your
word and for this time together today. We
ask You to be the healing ointment in our
lives and the redeeming love in our relationships,
that we may live for You and not for our
own selfish ambitions.
Hosea
8; The Lord commands the Assyrians to gather
for Israel's judgment and declares that
He will gather His people in the future.
When Israel sacrifices to the Lord, He does
not accept their offerings. They sacrifice
to other gods as a ritual and not as true
repentance toward the Lord. His people have
built altars and temples to other gods and
have cast Him aside.
Hosea
9; Israel has cast the Lord aside, taken
His mercy and goodness for granted, and
as a result, they will be exiled from the
land of Israel. Hosea relates the idolatry
and perversion in his day to the days of
the judges when the people did what was
right in their own eyes. The people will
face a time of great mourning and barrenness
felt throughout the nation of Israel.
Hosea
10; The Lord blessed His people with abundance
so they might give glory to Him, but they
used it for wickedness. As a result, their
requested king was taken from them, and
they were subject to foreign kings. The
Lord pleads for Israel to recognize their
sins and allow Him to lead them in His ways
of correction toward repentance. He asks
that they soften their hearts toward Him
and stop resisting Him and His ways.
Hosea
11; The Lord remembers His love for His
people and when He rescued them from bondage
in Egypt. Despite His continued provision,
they chose to worship the gods of the land
and offer sacrifices to them. Their
refusal to repent has led the Lord to bring
about judgment to provoke their repentance.
However, in His love for His people, He
will show them mercy and invite them back
into His arms.
Hosea
12; Israel has placed their security and
prosperity in alliances with other surrounding
nations. Hosea compares Israel to their
ancestor Jacob, who was also foolish and
deceptive and was sent into exile from his
land. After struggling with the Lord, repenting,
and allowing for correction, Jacob found
favor in the Lord's eyes, and Israel will
find the same in the future.
Hosea
13;The judgment of Israel will result in
the scattering of the nation throughout
other lands as they are taken from their
land. This judgment will be like the unexpected
and intense pain of a woman about to give
birth. When Israel rejected the Lord as
their King, He gave them the kings they
asked for, and those same kings now bring
judgment upon their nation for leading them
away from their true Provider.
Hosea
14;The Lord invites Israel to return to
Him and walk in His ways. If they repent
from their idolatry and wickedness, the
Lord promises to restore them as a people
and a nation. They will once again be prosperous
and fruitful, and the Lord will help them
walk in the wisdom of His ways.
ROTTEN
FRUIT | Hosea 8:7-11
In
Hosea 8:7, God condemns Israel's empty ritualistic
acts, which look good outwardly but lack
true devotion and internal transformation.
They
were making sacrifices and performing religious
duties, but their hearts were far from God.
This outward show of piety without sincere
faith and repentance is useless and even
offensive to God.
Proverbs
1:31 states, "Therefore they shall
eat the fruit of their own way and be filled
with their own schemes." This aligns
with Hosea 8:7, where it is evident that
Israel will reap the consequences of their
empty rituals. They will be given over to
their sinful nature, reaping what they sow—nothing
but emptiness and futility.
Are
you going through ritualistic motions, playing
at church, pretending to know Jesus, and
reading your Bible without true devotion?
If your heart is not in God's word and your
relationship with Him, you will reap nothing
of value. Without sincere faith and obedience,
there will be no redemption or restoration.
What
seeds are being planted in your vineyard,
and what fruit are you eating?
COVENANT
CURSE | Hosea 8:14
In
Hosea 8:14, God reminds Israel of the covenant
curse outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15:
"But
it shall come to pass if you do not obey
the voice of the LORD your God, to observe
all His commandments and His statutes which
I command you today, that all these curses
will come upon you and overtake you."
Disobedience
brings inevitable curses, just as obedience
brings blessings. The detailed description
of these curses warns and reminds us of
the seriousness of turning away from God's
commands. Heart Check.
Are
you living in obedience to God's commandments,
or are you inviting tht covenant curses
through disobedience?
DRY
ROOTS | Hosea 9
In
Hosea 9, the prophet describes a time when
the people of Israel will face severe consequences
for their sins. Their children will su£er,
and they will be rejected by God, becoming
wanderers among the nations.
This
passage reflects deep frustration and rejection,
with Hosea referring to God as "my
God" instead of "our God,"
indicating a personal disownment of the
nation.
Have
you become so disillusioned with your nation,
society, or country that you feel disconnected
from them? Hosea speaks of God making the
people barren and fruitless due to their
evil actions. Is this happening in the United
States or your own country? Are societal
roots drying up because of idolatry, self-serving
ambitions, and desires? This issue may extend
to your community, family, and even marriage.
Heart Check.
How
can you bring the refreshing water of the
Lord's love back to the roots of your family,
community, church, and country?
TOOLS
OF PURPOSE | Hosea 10:5-8
Hosea
10:5-8 highlights the consequence of Israel's
failure to destroy idol worship centers
as commanded by God (Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy
12:2-3).
Due
to their disobedience, God used a foreign
army to accomplish His purpose. This teaches
us that if we are not willing and obedient,
God will use other means or people to fulfill
His plans. Heart Check.
Is
the Lord using you or your enemies to accomplish
His purpose?
FALLOW
GROUND | Hosea 10:11-12
Hosea
10:11-12 speaks of fallow ground, land that
has been prepared for sowing but left unused
and unproductive.
Spiritually,
this represents a heart ready for God's
Word but neglected, leading to unfruitfulness.
God calls us to break up our fallow ground,
seeking Him earnestly and allowing His Word
to take root, grow, and mature in our lives.
This process requires nurturing, watering,
and time, guided by the Holy Spirit.
As
a good old Southern girl who grew up in
the Boondocks of Georgia (not on a farm,
but close enough!), I love when the Lord
leans into these agricultural metaphors.
Fallow ground is land that has been plowed
but left unseeded, allowing it to become
fertile again over time.
It
sits, kind of sterile and vacant, but during
this period of rest, it actually becomes
fertile once more. When the Israelites return
to their land, this once fallow ground will
be ready to receive the seeds of righteousness.
They will reap a harvest of righteousness,
obedience, grace, mercy, and love, ultimately
returning to God.
Refiect
on how you can break up the fallow ground
in your life and prepare your heart for
God's Word to grow and mature. Are you seeking
Him earnestly and allowing His righteousness
to rain upon you? Heart Check.
Is
your heart fallow ground waiting for harvest
of abundance?
LOVING
PARENT | Hosea 11
In
Hosea 11, we see a beautiful metaphor of
God as a loving father guiding His child,
who doesn't even realize the father's hands
are helping them walk. As a mother of five,
I know what it's like to hold my children's
hands as they learn to walk.
Often,
they forget I'm the one holding them up
and try to run o£ on their own. This
imagery parallels the yoke mentioned in
chapter 10, where there was less freedom.
Here, we see a father's tender kindness
and a£ection to a son. Refiect on
your relationship with God and consider
how you can recognize and appreciate His
guidance and support in your life. Heart
Check.
Have
you embraced our Heavenly Father as a loving
parent?
MOUTAINTOPS
| Hosea 13:8
God
warns us in Deuteronomy to not forget our
God as we enjoy the bounty and prosperity
in our lives. So, here's a simple heart
check:
Are
you forgetting God when you're on the mountaintop?
STING
OF DEATH | Hosea 13:14
In
this passage, there is a reiteration of
the exact statement found in 1 Corinthians
15:55, "O death, where is your sting?"
This
serves as a reminder that God has already
achieved victory over death, and as a result,
as Christians, we should not fear death.
The fear of death and its sting should not
loom over the head of someone who loves
God and has surrendered to Him.
Are
you afraid of losing everything here on
Earth versus gaining everything in the kingdom?
STOP
| Hosea 14:1
"Return,
O Israel, to the Lord your God. Return"
means to stop, and I'm stopping here to
share this beautiful gift that someone sent.
(A
listener sent a sticker showing a stop sign
saying, “I stop for Jesus. Do you?”)
So,
the heart check today will be: Do you stop
for Jesus? We are to stop in our sin, turn
away from that sinful nature, and commit
ourselves to the Lord. This, right here,
is a listener sent to us, to myself and
Kanoe. Stop, share Jesus, testify to what
he has done, obey him, and pray to him.
Are
you stopping for Jesus? Are you sharing,
testifying, obeying, and praying to God?
MORNING
DEW | Hosea 14:4-7
In
Hosea 14:4-7, the Lord promises to heal
Israel's backsliding and love them freely.
This divine love will cause His people to
blossom like the lily, fiourishing and bearing
beautiful fruit when they open themselves
to His love. This passage highlights the
transforming power of God's love and the
abundant life it brings. Lebanon, when you
respond to the love of God, you too will
fiourish and blossom like the lily, the
trees, the stumps, and the shoots that will
come up if you open yourself up to the love
of God and let it flood into you. Heart
Check.
Have
you embraced the morning dew of God's love?
Are you allowing God's love to flood through
your being and bring forth beautiful blossoms
in your life?
Deep
Dive
How
does Israel’s reliance on idols and foreign
alliances lead to their downfall, and what
can we learn from this about the consequences
of placing our trust in anything other than
God?
How
does this book emphasize the seriousness
of disobedience to God?
In
what ways does God express His enduring
love for Israel despite their rebellion?
How does this book reveal the depth of God’s
compassion and desire for restoration?
How
does Israel's history of deceit and idolatry
serve as a warning for us today?
What
does this chapter teach us about the consequences
of forgetting God and relying on our own
strength? How does it highlight the importance
of remembering God as our faithful helper?
Heavenly
Father, I am grateful for your unfailing
love and abundant mercy.
Lord,
forgive our tendency to turn to idols.
Placing
our trust in things that cannot save us.
Remove this disobedience and lack of faith
that has taken root in our homes, communities,
and nation. Allow the deep roots of your
righteousness to grow deep into our spirit
to awaken us! To heal us!
Help
us to seek You with our whole hearts, knowing
that You alone are our true source of strength
and salvation. Teach us your ways, oh, Lord.
To seek you wholeheartedly. To follow you
unwaveringly. To be obedient and kind and
loving. Allow our fruit to bear the sweetness
of your name and power.
Lord,
tenderly speak to our hearts of Your promise
to redeem us and bring us out of exile and
oppression. Just as You promised to restore
Israel, we trust in Your promise to restore
us. May we turn away from all that leads
us astray and fix our eyes on You, our Redeemer.
Prepare
our hearts to receive Your Spirit fully
so we may walk in Your ways and proclaim
Your glory.We want to be part of the remnant
that stands firm in faith, ready to declare
Your worthiness of praise and honor forever.
Isaiah
28 begins by denouncing the sins of Israel
and Judah. The people are characterized
by drunkenness, leading them into sexual
impurity, pride, and violent acts. Their
overindulgence impairs their judgment and
wisdom, causing them to seek temporary pleasures
in this life. Isaiah also accuses the priests
and prophets in the Temple of indulging
in drunkenness and other folly rather than
consecrating themselves before God. They
are unable to discern the Lord's will and
falsely believe they are safe from judgment.
Isaiah
prophesies the coming Messiah, who will
judge the people's hearts and warn them
of the consequences of rejecting the Lord's
messages of repentance.
Isaiah
29 explains that the people have misplaced
their trust, believing they will not face
judgment as the Lord's people. They have
become spiritually blind and the Lord has
stopped giving the prophets visions and
revelations.
The
Lord promises to humble them but also pledges
to protect them during their period of judgment.
He assures that He will restore them in
the future.
Isaiah
30 rebukes the people for turning to man
for safety and protection instead of relying
on the Lord. If the people put their trust
in Egypt, the Lord will reveal Egypt's true
intentions when they refuse to aid them
in their distress.
The
Lord commands the people to write down His
prophecy so they may recognize His power
and strength. He predicts judgment upon
the people of Judah but also promises to
rescue and bless them with visions, abundance,
and joy when they turn back to Him.
They
will also witness justice served to those
who bring them under harsh judgment.
SIMPLE
MANNA | Isaiah 28:9
The
people’s reaction to Isaiah hurts my heart
because they think he is saying is old news.
They say, “Stop teaching us as if we’re
children, Isaiah. We’re beyond this. We
need something more in-depth if we’re going
to listen to you.”
In
other words, they think that the simplicity
and repetition of God’s Word are no longer
valuable. They’ve become too proud to hear
the simple lessons He wants them to hear.
Sometimes, we can do this with God’s Word
as well. We will skim it and think, “I’ve
read this before. Where is my commentary?
When is Bible study coming out? I need something
more.”
And
we will put more e£ort into diving
into someone else’s notes than chewing on
and meditating on God’s written word. We
will spend more time copying what someone
else wrote rather than trying to hear what
God is speaking to our hearts. So we have
to be careful about this because it isn’t
wrong to use other sources—I do it myself!
But those sources should never become more
important than the only true source of wisdom.
This is our manna!
Sometimes,
He speaks one simple Word to us. If we are
looking for some grand revelation, to the
point that we keep digging around to find
it, we will eventually suppress that one
Word and end up defenseless because we’ve
buried that one weapon we needed so deep
that we can’t access it. If we put someone
else’s words above God’s, that’s idolatry.
Heart Check.
What
do you value you more? God's Word or someone
else's? Would you be able to live on the
mana alone?
CORNERSTONE
| Isaiah 28:10-17
Here,
we see why His voice must rise above all
others. Earlier, God said, “Okay, if you
don’t value what I’m saying, I’m going to
give you what you want. But another person’s
words will deceive you and will lead you
straight to the slaughter.” That’s exactly
what happened. They were led astray by lies
and deceit, which led them to make a covenant
with death.
They
took shelter in Egypt and assimilated to
their luxurious way of living and compromised
their faith so much that they eventually
fell away from God altogether.
This
is why Jesus, our precious cornerstone,
must be the foundation upon which we build
our lives.
If
we don’t hear His voice and listen to His
words, we will be led astray by the father
of lies. We will allow the world system
to rule our emotions to the point that fear
alone will destroy us. But if we find refuge
in Him rather than our own success and trust
in Him rather than whoever gets elected
into o£ice, we will not be shaken.
Heart Check.
How
is your foundation? Is it quaking with fear
of the future? What is your conerstone?
Are you putting your trust in Him to uphold
you?
ILLUMINATED
WORD | Isaiah 29:9-12
Here,
the Lord is telling the people that they
will remain in the dark because they didn’t
listen to His Word. The light of the Word
will not be illuminated, and it will be
unreadable. And it won’t matter if they
went to Harvard or never graduated high
school. All will be illiterate if their
hearts are stubborn.
It’s
the same way the Bible will be meaningless
to us if we don’t approach it with a submissive
heart.
If
you don’t let scripture read you, you won’t
be able to read it. It will always seem
dry and dull or like a mystery that can’t
be solved.
But
when you approach it with a heart that cries
out, “Lord, let your Word change my heart,
line by line, precept by precept,” that’s
when the revelation will be unveiled. Heart
Check.
Is
God's Word being illuminated in your heart?
Or are you in the dark? How are you approaching
His Word?
WALK
THE TALK | Isaiah 29:13
Here,
the Lord is saying, “They talk the talk
talk, but they don’t walk the walk.” In
other words, they were just going through
the motions—going to church on Sunday and
doing their daily Bible study…. but what
was stewing in their hearts did not refiect
what they were saying. They were not walking
out of the talk.
Do
you walk the talk? Does your heart reflect
what you're learning through His Word, and
are your actions following suit?
WAIT
ON HIM | Isaiah 30:18
Throughout
history, when the people of Israel got into
hot water, they would go o£ running
for help, and in this case, it was to Egypt.
We
are so impatient in our “gotta have it now”
society. But God hasn’t changed His stance
in waiting. He still desires for us to be
still and to rest in Him. It says right
here that those who do will be blessed.
But so many times, we see our own Assyria
coming at us, and we begin to get restless,
and we look to everything else to give us
the answer that God has probably already
spoken.
We
try to make things happen in our timing
and our way rather than simply being quiet
before Him and allowing Him to move in our
spirits. We are not talking about being
unproductive and lazy—this is a spiritual
condition of the heart. It’s an active waiting
in prayer and submission to the Word.
The
reality is that He’s simply waiting for
us to come to Him so He can open heaven's
windows and pour out blessings. But if we’re
off wandering somewhere else, we won’t be
sitting under that spigot of blessings when
the windows open. Heart Check.
Where
are you? Are you waiting on the Lord in
stillness and a quiet heart? Or are you
impatiently trying to make something happen
how you think it should
Deep
Dive
What
does spiritual drunkenness look like today?
How do we combat it?
How
might a person make a covenant with Sheol
or death?
How
is God’s mercy on display in these chapters?
What
lessons can be learned from Ariel, and how
does it relate to the state of our world
today?
Why
did the people trust in Egypt more than
God? How can we avoid making this same mistake?
In
what ways do you see God’s heartbeat in
these chapters?
Heavenly
Father, We look to you, our Wonderful
Counselor, our one source of true wisdom.
Thank
you for the privilege of hearing your voice
through your written Word today. Thank you
for the words of others, who have helped
to expound upon what you spoke, so that
we could better understand. But now that
we do have a better foundation and a firmer
footing, I pray that we will begin to dig
into YOUR Words a little more as we build
upon our faith. May we spend more time chewing
on what you have spoken, even if it is just
one simple word. I pray that it never becomes
so familiar that we find it invaluable.
We are but little children who need to be
taught the same lessons over and over. So
may we never become too proud to think that
we are beyond that.
Jesus,
you are the Precious Cornerstone, our firm
foundation upon which we build our lives.
I pray that we do not find refuge nor put
our trust in anything else to uphold us,
for all else is sinking sand. Everything
we tended to in this life will fade away,
and all that we will be left standing with
is the relationship we tended to with you.
So may that become more important than all
else. When we put you first, all else will
fall into place.
So
we come to you, with a submitted heart today,
asking you to change our hearts. Allow your
Word to change us, line by line, precept
by precept. I pray that as we allow the
Word to read us, that it will begin to illuminate
the dark spaces in our hearts. Then your
light will be able to shine forth from our
hearts. We will begin to see things more
clearly, and we will encounter you in new
ways. Your revelation that was there all
along will begin to be unveiled in our hearts.
And as it does, may we walk the talk. I
pray that it is never just lip service or
religious obligation in trying to fill the
pages of our Bible with notes. But instead,
may it always be about building a relationship
with you. So may we receive fresh vision
today and have heart that is receptive to
it.
We
see your transformative power on display
today and hold on to the vision of the day
when this world will be turned on its head.
Every perverted truth will be uncovered,
and all darkness will cease. Land will be
fruitful, the blind will see, and the deaf
will hear.
What
mercy! Your ultimate purpose is always redemption,
so thank you for redeeming us first. We
are so grateful that you called us by name
and transformed our hearts and minds. Please
continue to do so.
While
your Word can sometimes make us uncomfortable,
we would rather sit in a little discomfort
while still being able to hear you, rather
than seeking out what we want to hear and
completely becoming deaf to what you’re
trying to say. May we heed every warning
and never neglect the prophetic.
So
we put our trust in you alone today, drawing
close to you and returning from any old
ways of living. We want to truly understand
and live out what it means to be still and
to rest in you. We know that you go before
us and that you guide us by way of your
tender whispers.
I
pray that we will be in tune with that so
that we do not stray to the left or to the
right. Help us to silence all the noise
around us and simply be quiet before you.
I pray that we will not be demanding of
you or anyone else to meet our expectations.
If you’re trying to teach us patience, help
us to learn quickly so that we don’t have
to continue being tested. We know that every
single delay has a loving purpose behind
it.
In
Isaiah 31, the prophet cautions the people
not to trust Egypt for protection over the
Lord God. The Lord is wiser, mightier, and
more powerful than all of Egypt. The Lord
has already promised to defend Judah and
will fulfill that promise. A call to repent
and return to the Lord God their Deliverer
is declared.
Isaiah
32 the Lord proclaims a king who will come
and rule in righteousness, and will have
supporters with wise counsel who will see
that justice is insured. This king will
rule with integrity and bring restoration
and blessings to the land. Until that day,
the people are to humble themselves in the
coming times of hardship and then the Spirit
of the Lord will be poured out. The land
will once again be blessed with the return
of justice, peace, and rest.
Isaiah
33 is a warning directed to the arrogant
and prideful Assyria of the coming judgment
the Lord will bring. They will no longer
have the reputation of being an invincible
army. The Lord's judgment will humble even
the mightiest of nations. A future blessing
and deliverance of Zion is anticipated.
Isaiah speaks a prayer of the people, who
will praise the Lord for their salvation
and the promise of a righteous king to lead
them in the ways of the Lord. In that time,
those who have practiced wickedness will
fear judgment, and the righteous will be
comforted seeing God's justice completed.
Isaiah
34, the prophet Isaiah prophesies the fury
and wrath of the coming judgment on Assyria.
A warning to the other nations that their
day is also coming when they will face this
wrath. Ultimately, the final judgment is
spoken to be fulfilled on the Day of Judgment.
He focuses on the Edomites and the decisions
they will face, as they will be an example
to the nations. Isaiah uses the imagery
of judgment day as a wide-scale sacrifice
being sent up to the Lord for the sins of
the nations. The land will be lonely, and
only wild animals will be seen wandering.
The Lord once again confirms His firmness
on the matter through Isaiah.
EXPOSED
| Isaiah 32:6-8
Because
the light of Christ will be shining throughout
the earth, nothing will be left unexposed.
His light reveals all, whether foolish or
noble. Every motive, every thought, and
every reason we do things will be known.
Heart check.
If
the light were here today, what would be
exposed from within you?
PEACE
& QUIET | Isaiah 32:17
So
many of us crave peace and quiet.
For
50 weeks out of the year, we long for those
two weeks of vacation we have stored up.
Or we work 5 to 6 days a week, looking forward
to the weekend. But when we take that vacation,
we come back and actually need a vacation
from the vacation.
Our
weekends are filled with chores and family
activities, and we always need more rest
than our rest days were intended for. This
shows that peace doesn’t come from a weekend
getaway or a month-long stay on the Royal
Caribbean. True peace comes from Jesus.
I’ve
never worked so hard in my life as I do
in this Bible study. I have never worked
12-hour days, six days a week, the way I
do now.
But
I’ve also never had the peace and contentment
that I do in this crazy busy season. And
it isn’t because I’m leading a Bible study
or running a ministry. It’s because I am
serving Jesus wholeheartedly and living
righteously to the best of my ability, which
I haven’t always done. Peace is a byproduct
of righteousness, not our work week or circumstances.
Heart Check.
Do
you have peace and quiet in your life?
Deep
Dive
What
is your Egypt? What do you put your trust
in or where do you seek help outside of
God, and how does this prophecy apply to
you?
What
modern-day idols do you see around you?
Are there any you need to abandon?
Where
do you see righteous leadership on display
or missing? What is its foundation?
What
is your vision of heaven? How does it compare
to how Isaiah describes the future of Zion?
How
does Isaiah’s call to righteousness apply
to your life?
Why
was Edom singled out? What might the greater
reference be? How can we apply the lessons
of judgment?
Heavenly
Father, We put our trust in you alone today.
Thank
you for the reminder today that there is
nothing in this world that can offer the
safety, security, and peace that you do.
Your power surpasses the strongest military,
the most powerful nation, and even the deceitful
power of those who devise evil to carry
out their wicked plans. Nothing can stand
against you, and you are in control of all
things.
There
is nothing that escapes your notice and
nothing that will escape your judgment.
There may be people and parties who think
they’re getting away with things or that
their plans are succeeding, but they will
be torn down and exposed. The truth will
always surface as your light exposes every
dark corner of the earth.
Thank
you, that on that day, you will fiercely
protect your people against attack. We don’t
need to fear who is in o£ice or even
potential cyber-attacks. Whatever may be
threatening our national security is no
match for your power. The lion may roar,
but we see the leash that you hold in your
hand. You are our Defender.
So
may hearts return to you today, abandoning
old ways of living and thinking, and turning
to seek your face. I pray that every faulty
faith will be called out and may the ones
who bear it hear your voice and follow after
you. May we not be or grow complacent in
any way, but always rely on you for all
things.
Thank
you for your message of hope and promise
of restoration and transformation. We have
all been witnesses of the way lives can
be turned around with you, Jesus. We have
all experienced the peace that comes from
you alone. There is nothing else in this
world that can offer that.
It
surpasses all understanding, and the world
will never get it. But I pray that your
light will shine on us, in us, and through
us in such a way that we will be a beacon
of hope for others.
For
those who are longing for peace and quiet,
I pray that they find that in you today.
Expose anything that may be keeping us from
living whole-heartedly for you. We know
that we are the righteousness of God in
Christ Jesus, but we want to bask in that
righteousness, not just sit in its title.
May we never grow complacent but always
aware and alert of our spiritual condition.
We
know that this earth will move from barrenness
to fruitfulness and from empty to rebuilt
So pour your Spirit out today upon each
one of us as we dwell securely in your holy
habitation.
We
will not fear what is to come, but we will
keep our eyes peeled for the fulfillment
of your Word every single day.Your promises
have never gone unturned, and they never
will. O Lord, be gracious to us as we wait
for you. Be our strength every morning and
our salvation in time of trouble. We will
not fear, for you promise to be our refuge
amidst every trial.
You
are our stronghold, our provider, our wisdom,
and our knowledge. May your consuming fire
bring comfort to our lives as we walk in
righteousness and know that one day our
eyes will behold your beauty. Oh, how we
look forward to it.
Isaiah
35, the eventual restoration of Israel,
is prophesied by Isaiah. He also encourages
the people that fear, weakness, and disease
will no longer be in their midst, for the
Lord will provide for them in abundance
when they turn to Him.
The
Highway of Holiness, which shall be present
during the reign of the Messiah, is also
prophesied.
The
redeemed will safely travel to Zion to worship
the Lord, and there will be no more sorrow.
Isaiah
36 Rabshakeh tries to demoralize Judah,
by first capturing some of their fortified
cities. He then defiantly speaks out against
Judah's alliance with Egypt, tries to disparage
their army, and attacks their faith and
trust in the Lord. Rabshakeh claims Yahweh
to be on his side to provoke Hezekiah, and
the people of Judah.
WEAK
IN THE KNEES | Isaiah 35:3
Even
if I were the most muscular woman in the
world, competing in strongwoman competitions
and moving cars, I would need the words
from this life-giving verse. It's about
more than physical strength. Yes, the Lord
can and will strengthen His people to rebuild
the temple and the nation physically, but
we need to be spiritually strengthened.
My
knees shudder, and my hands tremble. I falter
in my ability to stand firm, which is what
these words truly mean—stand firm and shout
joyfully that we are to fear nothing! I
have to die to self to find this type of
strength—not living for accolades, opinions,
money, wealth, material things, or status.
The more I die to self, the Lord will take
this weak, feeble body and make it strong
enough to stand firm in the face of anything.
Heart Check:
Is
the world making your knees bend under the
pressure of the enemy? How can you stand
firm?
MIRAGE
| Isaiah 35:5-7
Restoration
from spiritual blindness means no longer
seeing the illusions of life as truth. They
had pursued the mirage of unsatisfying water
offered by false gods, waters that weren’t
really there.
Now,
in the Messianic age, they will behold the
real living waters of God and His Messiah.
What is bad will no longer appear good or
true. Our eyes will be opened, and His truth
will be fulfilled. The good news has come,
and we can have our hearts softened to receive
it. Let the parched land of our world and
hearts become a pool of water as we receive
life-giving water from Jesus Christ.
This
transformation means that sugary foods lose
their enticing sweetness, the smell of alcohol
becomes detestable, and the world’s offerings
no longer quench our thirst. Only God’s
Word will. Heart Check:
Has
your parched land been replaced with pools
of water from the glory of the Lord?
THE
WAY | Isaiah 35:8
The
"Way of Holiness" looks like living
out John 14:6, where Jesus says, "I
am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me."
This path is for those who are righteous
in God’s sight, reserved for His people
alone.
It
is a place of safety, joy, and redemption.
Christ provides the way of holiness, exchanging
His perfect righteousness for our sins,
enabling us to be holy. Heart Check:
Are
you on the path of holiness or foolishness?
PARCHED
LAND | Isaiah 35
Before
jumping on this video recording, I had a
wonderful conversation with my brother.
He told me, "Holly, I'm going to reaffirm
my faith and get baptized." Hallelujah!
Let me know in the comments below how proud
you are of my brother for making this proclamation
and testimony of his renewed faith in Christ.
Interestingly,
he also mentioned that Georgia was experiencing
a drought. After five weeks without rain,
torrential downpours have started, causing
farmers to struggle as their crops are being
washed away. I asked, "Why isn't the
land soaking in the rain?" He explained
that the land had hardened due to the drought
and that a slow, steady rain was necessary
to absorb water e£ectively. Heavy
rain will simply run o£ when the land
is parched and nothing is growing.
Let's
think about that spiritually. Isaiah is
telling the people that their hardened,
empty hearts can be redeemed and will be
redeemed, but they need to be open. Just
as the parched land needs steady rain, our
hearts must consistently take in God's truth
and glory. Only then can we fully receive
His redemption and recompense.
Is
your heart parched land or fertile ground,
ready to receive the glory of Lord?
TEMPTATION
AND TRUST | Isaiah 36
Satan
tries to tempt us to stop serving God, just
as he did to the Jews in Hezekiah’s kingdom.
Imagine standing on the wall, hearing an
ambassador from a powerful kingdom gloat
about his power, mock your faith, and offer
rewards for submission.
He
challenges your king’s wisdom and claims
that God sent him to destroy your land.
How would you feel? Fear, doubt, insecurity?
Satan speaks to us similarly, challenging
our faith with warm words or bold confrontations.
How will you respond?
God’s
Word tells us we are in a battle, and there
will be moments of intense fighting to stay
on His side. Hold on to truth and never
let it slip, even in times of insecurity.
God will prove faithful until the end. Heart
Check:
How
will you respond to temptations and challenges
to your faith?
Deep
Dive
What
things do we rely on, especially when we
feel threatened?
What
does it mean to be spiritually blind, mute,
or deaf?
The
Jews became a parched land due to apostasy.
How can we learn from their mistakes and
make our country fertile for the gospel?
What
does Zion mean to you?
List
all the things you have been ransomed for
and write a prrayer of gratitude to the
Messiah for paying the ransom.
Heavenly
Father, thank you for the ransom work through
your Son, Jesus Christ.
We
may live in a parched land or wander the
wilderness, but Your words give us hope
and restoration.The victory is already won,
Lord, and we rejoice with You as the water
of Your everlasting love refreshes us.
Remind
us that we are capable and worthy because
You are worthy. Let us jump with joy and
proclaim Your goodness. Transform our dry
wilderness into a rejuvenated oasis of Zion.
When our hearts become anxious, help us
be strong and not fear, knowing You hold
all vengeance in Your hand and will save
us. Strengthen our arms and hands, and let
us face our enemy with faith, speaking words
that point to Your glory.
Thank
You for the everlasting joy that will be
upon our heads and for removing all sorrow
and grief. We long to walk on Your path
of holiness, the only way, truth, and life.
Thank
You for always keeping the gate open so
we may return to Your arms.
Isaiah
37: Hezekiah cries out to the Lord for mercy
and justice to prevail upon hearing Rabshakeh's
words, claiming God was on his side.
Isaiah
encourages Hezekiah to continue trusting
the Lord to vindicate His name and save
his people. The Lord speaks a word to Rabshakeh
in rebuke. The defeat of the Assyrian army
and the death of the Assyrian king came
to pass.
Isaiah
38 Hezekiah develops an illness that brings
him to near death. Isaiah goes to the king
with confirmation from the Lord that his
illness will take Hezekiah's life. Hezekiah
pleads to the Lord to spare his life and
provide healing.
In
the Lord's mercy, He spares his life for
a specific number of years, and Hezekiah
praises the Lord. Judah is also promised
deliverance from the looming Assyrian army.
Isaiah
39 Hezekiah entertains the king of Babylon
during his visit to Judah to persuade Hezekiah
to ally with him against Assyrians.
Isaiah
questions Hezekiah's actions and motives
toward the king of Babylon. He also prophesies
that Judah will be taken captive and exiled
to Babylon after Hezekiah's death.
In
Psalm 76, the Lord's might and glorious
reign in Zion are expressed in joyful praise.
He
is praised for His magnificence and victories
over His people's enemies. Great reverence
is given to Him for His justice in life
and death and His rule over all the world.
SPREAD
IT OUT | Isaiah 37:14
This
reminds me of the days when I was Miss Hawaii
and was so broke (because no paycheck comes
with that crown—it’s a year of service).
And there would be days when I would sit
with my bills spread out on the table and
just weep before the Lord, not knowing how
I would pay my bills.
And
He always came through. In fact, there was
one day when I faithfully wrote my tithing
check, cried over the bills I couldn’t pay,
and decided to go surf. Just as I entered
the water, a hundred-dollar bill fioated
to me. Then, a couple of days later, a medical
bill I had previously paid was returned
to me with a check saying there was a mistake
in the system.
Between
that and the hundred-dollar bill, I could
pay all the ones that were spread out on
my table. Some might call that coincidence,
but I call it faith in a faithful God. But
had I not spread it all out before Him,
these things may have still taken place,
but I would’ve failed to see the faithfulness
of God in it. There is no “bill” too big
or small that we can’t bring before Him.
Hezekiah understood this—they were sitting
ducks before the armies of Assyria. Yet,
he cried out for help in a hopeless situation.
Heart Check.
Is
there something you need to spread out before
the Lord today?
SPAGHETTI
PRAYERS | Isaiah 37:16
Isaiah
appeals to the Lord of hosts, or the Lord
of armies, because this is precisely what
he needs at that moment—military aid. Then,
Isaiah appeals to the God of Israel, reminding
Him that He is a covenant God and cannot
forsake His people.
He
recognizes his majesty as He sits above
the cherubim. He appeals to Elohim, the
supreme God who can do anything. And lastly,
he appeals to God as the creator, the one
who brought them into this world, as some
of our parents would say, “He can also take
them out of this world.”
In
other words, Isaiah knew precisely who he
was praying to and did so with intention.
This
is why it is so important to find the heartbeats
of God throughout the Bible—when you know
the character and the di£erent aspects
of God’s nature, you can pray accordingly
rather than throwing spaghetti prayers at
the wall and hoping that something sticks.
Heart Check.
Do
you throw spaghetti prayer at the the walls
of heaven? Or do you truly know who you
are praying to?
HOUSE
IN ORDER | Isaiah 38:1
I
don’t know if I would consider it a blessing
or a curse to see the day or the hour that
I was going to die. Hezekiah was given a
warning that most people don’t get, and
he was also given instructions on how to
get his house in order.
I
believe this is a word that is spoken directly
to us. Because if you think about it—unless
we get raptured, we are all going to die
at some point. Therefore, we, too, should
be getting our houses in order so that we
do not fear for our children or anyone else
we may temporarily leave behind. Heart Check.
Is
your house in order? Are you prepared to
leave this earth? What state will your house
be in when you do?
DEATH
STAMP | Isaiah 38:6
Wow,
what mercy. Hezekiah pleaded for more time,
and God granted him fifteen more years!
I can only imagine a list he began making
of the things he wanted to do, the people
he wanted to see, and how he wanted to live
out his last days. Heart Check.
What
would you do if God stamped your calendar
with the day of death? What's keeping you
from doing those things now?
PERFECT
WILL | Isaiah 38:16
Notice
that Hezekiah does not pray like Jesus,
saying, “But your will be done.” He simply
cries out, “Make me live!”
And
God grants him fifteen more years. But sadly,
we will see that within those fifteen years,
he gives Babylon reason to attack Judah,
and he also fathers Manasseh, who ultimately
becomes the worst king in Judah’s history.
He
is the king who brings the judgment of God
upon them. So, there is a di£erence
between God’s perfect will and His permissible
will. Heart Check.
Which
one are you praying for? God's perfrct will?
Or are you only asking for Him to make things
happen?
CONSULTING
GOD | Isaiah 39:1-6
I
can sympathize with Hezekiah here because
celebrating your successes is human nature,
especially when others are willing to celebrate
with you.
I
think Hezekiah was just living in the moment
of this honor to be in the presence of this
junior superpower of the prince of Babylon,
and he simply wanted to impress him. But
Hezekiah faltered because he needed to include
the Lord in it. Before this, when he faced
intimidation by another king, he spread
it out before the Lord. But we must remember
that our treasures and successes also need
to be spread out before him because these
things can sometimes be even more dangerous
to us if we do not steward them well or
squander them the way Hezekiah is. This
ultimately leads to their downfall, as he
has just shown his cards to this “friendly”
enemy. There is a time for celebration,
but there’s also a time for treasuring things
in our hearts the way Mary did when she
was told she would be the mother of the
Savior of the world. She didn’t feel the
need to tell the world.
I
learned this lesson from my son when I tried
to post his victories on social media, and
he begged me not to. His words: “I don’t
want to look like we’re showing o£.”
Sometimes, he would “let” me post, but I
always consulted him first because I wanted
him to know that I respected him. This is
how we should be with the Lord-- consulting
him in the threats and the wins. Hezekiah
failed to do this, and it will be at the
expense of his family in the end. Heart
Check.
Do
you go to the Lord only when uou're in need?
Or do you consult Him in the times of blessing?
SERIOUS
COMMITMENT | Psalm 76:11
We
know that making vows to the Lord should
always be done with the utmost care and
caution. But that should never keep us from
making any at all. Our greatest vow or gift
that we can bring to the Lord is a life
that is dedicated and committed to Him.
Heart Check.
Have
you made a serious commitment to the Lord?
What kind of progress are you making in
fulfilling it?
Deep
Dive
How
is Hezekiah’s faith on display? How can
you apply this to your life?
What
does God’s response to Hezekiah’s prayers
say about His character?
How
do you see the spiritual growth in Hezekiah
throughout his life? What lessons can be
learned from this transformation?
How
would you react if you were given a prophecy
of imminent death?
What
can we do to ensure we don’t become prideful
of achievements?
How
does Psalm 76 encourage you in today’s upheaval
in society?
You
are sovereign, and you are our deliverer.
Therefore, we do not need to fear. There
are so many things in this life that may
seem impossible, but with you, all things
are possible for our Almighty God. Thank
you for proving that time and again.
Thank
you for the reminder on the importance of
prayer today. This is just one of the marks
of a faithful person—one who will cry out
to you in time of need and crisis. One who
will trust in your divinity, despite the
odds being stacked against them. One who
desires for your glory to be seen, regardless
of personal gain. As we spread out our own
scrolls before you, that are filled with
worries, questions, desperate pleas, prayer
requests, and intercessions for others,
I pray that you will open your eyes to see
and your ears to hear every single one.
You already know and see all the incoming
mail, but this is our way of opening it
up before you.
We
know that our lives are in your hands. Thank
you that we do not need to fear death, for
it does not have victory over us, and you
removed its sting at the cross. So I pray
that we will not live as if we are dying
but instead live each day knowing that we
are walking into a new life that is eternal.
So help us not to weep bitterly over the
day of death, but get our houses in order.
I pray that our families will be firmly
planted in their faith so that they can
celebrate our lives that we lived on this
earth but also the new one we are walking
into.
And
may we never discount the power of prayer,
because we know that it can and will change
the trajectory of our lives. But let it
always be done in the context of your perfect
will. Thank you for reminding us that in
your love and mercy, you will grant us things
we ask for, even if it isn’t the best thing
for us. But we want what’s best, and that
is your will for our lives.
We
thank you for healing and pray that if it
is your will, that any sicknesses we are
enduring will be healed in the name of Jesus.
And in response to your gracious mercy,
we will continue to praise you for your
divine intervention. Give us the wisdom
we need to navigate any journeys of healing,
whether it be holistically or medicinally.
You know what is best and you can and will
use anything. If we need to make any lifestyle
changes, convict our hearts and increase
our discipline to be able to do so. And
no matter what, we will still praise you
if we do not see that healing on this side
of heaven. We will bring you glory in sickness
and in health, in prosperity and in poverty,
in life and in death.
Thank
you for the reminder to come to you, both
in times of need and blessing. You are the
source of every good gift, and may we never
forget that and may we never fail to include
you in the celebration. I pray that we always
consult you in all things so that we do
not live to impress or please man. Keep
our hearts humble and may our pride never
get in the way of our trust in you. And
may our wins always bring you glory.
Isaiah
40 brings encouragement and comfort to the
people from the Lord to His people. Although
they are guilty of rebelling against the
Lord, He will pardon them when they repent
and turn towards Him.
A
prophetic word regarding one who will come
to prepare the way for the Messiah and prepare
the hearts of the people's hearts to receive
Him is declared. The Lord again invites
His people to rejoice and draw near to know
Him.
He
will return with power and shepherd His
people as Lord over all creation with His
great wisdom. Isaiah pleads with the people
to trust the Lord, who will rescue and receive
His strength.
Isaiah
41 speaks to the nations to plead their
case regarding their rebellion against Him.
It allows them to attempt to justify their
idolatry in light of His majesty, glory,
and power and to fear His judgment.
The
Lord reminds the people through Isaiah that
they have been the Lord's servants and are
under His protection since their father,
Abraham did not need to fear the nations
because he fought for them. There is nothing
too great their Lord cannot handle, and
He has provided abundantly for all. He challenges
them to demonstrate how their idols have
cared for and protected them as He has.
In
Isaiah 42, the Messiah is again prophesied,
but as the coming Servant. His character
is revealed, as is what the Lord promises
to complete through Him and the judgment
He will bring to those who reject Him. Praises
will be sung to the Lord on behalf of His
Servant, and He will bring healing as He
exalts and honors the law.
Isaiah
43 attempts to provide hope and encouragement
not to fear when they go through their trials.
He will be alongside them. The nations will
witness the Lord's faithfulness to His people,
as will all of Israel. Isaiah declares His
providence and His ability to rescue when
all seems hopeless. He promises to do wonders
through them if they soften their hearts
towards Him, forget their idolatry, and
become a people gathered to acknowledge
Him only as Lord.
HEART
PREP | Isaiah 40:3
This
idea of preparing the way for the King is
preparing the road so the triumphant King
could travel easily and in glory. They would
need to smooth out the bumpy areas and remove
any blockages, build bridges over any gaps,
get out of the deep valleys, make the crooked
roads straight, or cut through any hills
or mountains to create a pass.
Prophetically,
this King speaks to the coming of Jesus,
as John the Baptist repeats this phrase
to prepare their hearts for the arrival
of the Messiah. They needed to do some heart
prep. Heart Check.
What
kind of heart prep do you need to do so
God's glory can flow easily through you?
What blockages (attitudes or habbits) need
to be removed (repented of)?
Are
ther any bridges that need to be built or
mended with people? What valleys do you
need to get up out? What mountains (challenges)
need a pass?
BEHOLD
YOUR GOD | Isaiah 40:9
This
idea of “behold your God” means studying
Him and, therefore, knowing Him. We do this
through His fruit-bearing Word that stands
forever. We study the Word in its entirety
to find His heartbeat in both the good and
the bad.
This
is what helps us to navigate every kind
of situation in our lives. This is how we
can apply the question, “What would Jesus
do?”
This
is what allows us to have joy in the sorrow,
because when we study the hard passages
and see Him in it, we now know His faithfulness
to come through and to deliver, and it builds
our faith. Heart Check.
Are
you beholding your God? How has studying
His Word allowed you to know Him Better?
Has your view of Him changed?
COUNSELING
GOD | Isaiah 40:13-15
Here,
Isaiah shows how enormous, smart, and wise
our God is; because of this, He can handle
anything. We all know this in our hearts,
but sometimes, our heads get in the way,
and we feel the need to counsel God. We
think we need to tell Him our plans, advise
Him how to make them happen, and get mad
when it doesn’t happen on our timeline.
Or we ask for what we think is best for
us rather than saying, “Lord, your will
be done.” Heart Check.
Are
you counseling God? Or do you trust He knows
best and will make it happen?
COMMANDS
& PROMISES | Isaiah 41:10
Here
we see a command followed by a promise,
much like the 5th commandment (the only
commandment of the ten that has a promise
directly attached, which says to honor your
father and mother so that it may go well
with you and you will live a long life).
But if you really think about it, every
command God has ever given has a promise
attached. At the very least, we can go to
Luke 11:28, where Jesus said that if you
hear the Word of God and keep it (the command),
you will be blessed (the promise). Or fear
not (the command), for I am with you (the
promise). Heart Check.
What
commands has God spoken to your heart? What
is the promise that is attached to them?
GENTLENESS
& KINDNESS | Isaiah 42:1-4
This
section refers to Jesus as the ultimate
Servant-Messiah. He will be fully man but
work by the Spirit of God that is within
Him. When He came to the earth the first
time, He did exercise justice, but He did
so with a spirit of gentleness, care, strength,
encouragement, and truth.
He
treated people with respect and kindness,
even when He was correcting them or speaking
the truth. They were people with faith that
was barely hanging on—they were fragile
like a bruised reed and smoking fiax.
But
Jesus didn’t cast them aside. Instead, He
picked them up like a Good Shepherd, and
He fanned their fiame. This kind of character
is so desperately needed in today's world
instead of jumping onto one side of an issue
and tearing the other down. We are called
to reflect His light. Heart Check.
Does
your chacter line up with Jesus? Are you
treating people the way He did, with gentleness
and kindness?
PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP | Isaiah 43:1
At
the very least, Israel has to recognize
that God is their Creator and Redeemer.
There’s no denying that.
But
God takes it a step further in telling them
that He has called them by name, meaning
this is a very personal thing to Him. It
isn’t God vs. man. Instead, it’s Immanuel,
God WITH man. They are His personal possession,
just as we are. But if we don’t have that
intimate relationship with Christ, who is
our access to the Father, He will always
feel like some distant God of the cosmos
rather than our friend, our hope, our ever-present
help in time of need, and our Father who
loves us with an everlasting love. Heart
Check.
How
personal is He to you? Does it feel like
God vs, man? Or do you have a real intimate
relationship with Him?
BASIC
PURPOSE | Isaiah 43:7
One
of the most common questions asked by almost
every person, Christian or not, is, “What
is my purpose?” Here, we see that our primary
purpose for being created is for the glory
of God. If we fail to bring Him glory in
the way we live our lives, we are failing
our very purpose. Heart Check.
Are
you fulfilling your primary purpose? Are
you bringing glory to God in the way you
live your life?
PRACTICAL
PURPOSE | Isaiah 43:10
Earlier,
we saw what our very basic or primary purpose
was. Here, we know what our practical purpose
is—to be witnesses to the world. We are
assigned with the task of sharing the Good
News of the gospel so that others will know,
believe, and understand who He is. Heart
Check.
Are
you witnessing to others about Christ?
Deep
Dive
How
do these prophecies bring you comfort? How
can we share it with others?
How
can we prepare the way for the Lord in practical
ways?
How
many promises does God make in chapter 41,
and where have you seen them fulfilled in
your life?
How
is the character and mission of Jesus on
display?
What
is the “new thing” that the Lord is doing?
How does it apply to your life?
What
are the major themes of these prophecies
and how can we meditate on them so they
become a part of our daily lives?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the comfort and hope
that you have so tenderly spoken to your
people today.
While
there may be warfare and chaos throughout
the world or spiritual battles that we may
be facing, we are more than conquerors through
you, because you love us, and nothing can
separate us from that love. So I pray that
your seeds of comfort will sink down into
any soil of adversity or hurt that anyone
is facing today. Sometimes the only hope
that we have is knowing that we will be
with you one day, but that is more than
enough. This life is quickly fading, and
we are frail, so we put our trust in you
and your Word today, knowing that it is
reliable, stable, and endures forever. You
are the Word, and you will never fail us.
So
may we continue to prepare the way for your
coming, Jesus, both in our our hearts personally
but also in the work that we do to prepare
others. Remove any roadblocks, attitudes,
habits, or sins that may be keeping us from
encountering your glory. Show us where we
may need to mend or build bridges with people
and give us the heart of compassion to do
it. I pray that you will make a way through
the mountains or challenges in our lives
so that all will see the Light that shines
at the end of the tunnel. Let your breath
fiow over us today, not so we will wither,
but rather be strengthened by your Spirit.
I
pray that we will continue to put our hope
and trust in you. So if anyone is facing
fatigue today, whether emotionally, physically,
or spiritually, renew their strength as
they wait upon you. Allow us to mount up
with wings like eagles and soar above the
hardships and issues of life. We know the
most powerful people and nations are the
ones who rely on you for strength. We are
but dust before you. You have the power
to create, and therefore you have the power
to overcome anything in this world. But
you are also gentle and caring as you lead
and carry us through the wilderness. Thank
you, Jesus, for being our Good, Great, and
Chief Shepherd. May we walk with you always,
knowing that when we grow tired or weary,
you don’t, and instead, you will carry us
through.
So
we quiet our hearts before you today, as
we stop trying to justify our lives before
you. We don’t need to do that, for you,
Jesus, are our advocate. You know the beginning
from the end because you are there. You
were there before the foundations of the
earth, and you are standing at the end now.
You transcend all time, and because so,
we can fully trust that when we pray for
things to happen in the future, you hear
those prayers. They are already in the works.
And the way you worked in the lives of our
grandparents and ancestors is the same way
you will work in our lives.
You
are the same God, the Alpha and Omega, our
God who never leaves us. This brings us
so much comfort today, knowing that you
are with us in the middle of every situation
too.
Thank
you for choosing us as your servant and
friend. There is no greater title that we
could ever aspire for. Thank you for giving
us the strength we need and for upholding
us with your right hand. Thank you for dealing
with our enemies when we begin to lose hope.
We will not fear, knowing that you will
come to our aid. You will provide in times
of need. And you will untwist the madness
around us one day. That’s a promise you
have made, so we hold tightly to it, for
all else is futile.
So
we behold your glory today, never trying
to take from it, but only desiring to refiect
it. I pray that if we are eclipsing it in
any way, that you will show us so we can
get out of the way. Thank you for empowering
us by your Spirit to do your good works.
May we continue to carry out the work that
you started—helping the blind see, setting
the captives free, being a light to the
nations.
We
know that you will come back to complete
that mission, but may we not be complacent
in just waiting for you to return. So as
we lay hold of these promises today of the
new thing that you are doing, we declare
your praise and give you thanksgiving in
advance for what you are going to do.
We
will keep our eyes focused and fixed on
the new thing that is ahead of us as we
run from the past toward your redemption.
Isaiah
44 discusses God’s promise to bless the
descendants of Jacob and includes a prophecy
about Cyrus, a future king who will help
the Jews return and rebuild Jerusalem.
Isaiah
also criticizes the people for worshipping
idols, showing how foolish it is to worship
things made by human hands. This chapter
reminds us of God's power and how no idol
can compare to Him. The prophecy about blessings
ties into the future promises in Revelation,
where God's Spirit will be fully realized.
In
Isaiah 45, God calls Cyrus by name, even
before he is born, and says he will help
free the Israelites from Babylon. This prophecy
comes true in the book of Ezra. The chapter
highlights that God is in control of everything,
even using a foreign king to do His work.
This power and control are echoed in Revelation,
where everyone will recognize God’s authority.
Isaiah
46 talks about how the Babylonian idols
will fall, showing their weakness compared
to God. The chapter emphasizes that God
has always cared for Israel and will continue
to do so. It warns the people against relying
on lifeless idols.
Isaiah
47 prophesies that Babylon will be humiliated
and defeated. This prophecy comes true when
Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians.
The chapter warns Babylon of its pride and
idolatry, predicting their sudden downfall.
This judgment is a preview of Revelation's
"Fall of Babylon," symbolizing
the end of all that opposes God.
Isaiah
48 calls out Israel for being stubborn and
says God will save them not because they
deserve it but for His own glory. The chapter
predicts their rescue through Cyrus. It
urges the people to listen to God and turn
away from idols. This theme of repentance
and judgment is also seen in Revelation,
where God’s ultimate redemption plan is
fulfilled
DEVOTION
| Isaiah 44:5
"This
one will say, 'I am the Lord's'; another
will call on the name of Jacob; and another
will write on his hand, 'The Lord's,' and
name himself by the name of Israel."
This
verse emphasizes devotion, signifying a
deep commitment to God. Writing and applying
the Lord's name represents a public declaration
of faith and dedication to His service.
It shows that being a follower of God goes
beyond mere words—it requires action and
a commitment to live out His teachings.
This devotion is only possible through the
redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Heart Check.
Have
you written the Lord's name on your hand,
symbolizing your commitment to Him?
FOLLY
OF IDOLS | Isaiah 44:9-20
Isaiah
speaks against idolatry, highlighting the
absurdity of worshiping man-made statues.
It's easy to judge the Israelites for their
idol worship, but we often fall into similar
traps. We may idolize achievements, accolades,
or material possessions, believing they
validate us.
For
instance, I once idolized my high school
diploma and subsequent achievements, thinking
they would bring fulfillment. However, these
worldly pursuits left me empty because they
cannot replace the peace and identity found
in God. Heart Check.
Are
your eyes and heart closed to the folly
of your idolatry?
NONSENSE
| Isaiah 45:9-10
Isaiah
contrasts God’s omnipotence with the absurdity
of idols. It's ludicrous to imagine clay
questioning the potter, yet we often question
God's plans for our lives.
A
quote from my mom resonates: "God is
writing your story; quit trying to steal
the pen."
Our
lives are part of God’s more excellent plan,
and we must trust His sovereignty, just
as the Israelites were called to trust in
His plan for their redemption. Heart Check.
Are
you taking issue with the Lord's plans for
your life?
FOOTPRINTS
IN THE SAND | Isaiah 46:1-4
These
verses reminded me of the poem "Footprints
in the Sand" by Mary Stevenson. It
describes how Jesus carries us through our
most challenging times. Isaiah reassures
us that God has carried us from birth and
will continue to support and save us. Even
when we feel alone, God is with us, bearing
our burdens. Heart Check.
Who
is carrying you--God or yourself?
ENCHANTMENTS
| Isaiah 47:12-13
People
today, like the Israelites, can be enchanted
by worldly things, including modern forms
of idolatry such as astrology or materialism.
These distractions cannot provide the answers
or peace that come from God. Only God, who
created the stars, holds the ultimate power
and knowledge. Heart Check.
Can
the enchantments of this world hold up to
the all-consuming fire of Jesus Christ?
REDEMPTIVE
PLANS | Isaiah 48:16
Isaiah
reveals that God’s commands are not hidden
but openly declared. We can have an intimate,
personal relationship with God, just as
the Israelites did. The prophecy of the
coming Messiah, who is indwelled with the
Holy Spirit, shows God's plan for salvation
through Jesus Christ. Heart Check
Do
you trust the certainty of God"s prophecies?
Deep
Dive
How
does the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy
of Cyrus from Persia strengthen your faith
in Jesus Christ?
How
do the future prophecies of Babylon in Revelation
prepare your heart for the end of days?
Does
the folly of idol worship still happen today?
List ways we put our faith in man-made things.
The
byproduct of faithful obedience is peace,
while the wicked have no peace. How do you
see this played out in today's society?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for our stories long
before we were conceived.
We
praise You for Your sovereignty, power,
knowledge, and glory. Help us open our hearts
and surrender to Your purpose. Remind us
that everything, from the stars to the blooming
fiowers, is for Your glory. Empty us of
ourselves so that You remain first in our
hearts and minds.
Thank You for fulfilled
and future prophecies that guide us. Bolster
us with Your word, love, compassion, grace,
and mercy.We are armed with the knowledge
that You are the Lord of hosts and heavenly
armies. There is nothing to fear. Lord,
we stop taking the pen from You. Our story
is Yours. Allow us to trust You in every
step, for Your glory and not ours.
2
Kings 19 tells the story of King Sennacherib
of Assyria besieging Jerusalem and mocking
God. King Hezekiah prays, and Isaiah says
God will protect the city.
This
comes true when an angel kills 185,000 Assyrian
soldiers. Isaiah rebukes the Assyrians for
their pride and mocks their failure. This
story foreshadows the ultimate defeat of
evil forces in Revelation, highlighting
God's protection of His people.
Psalm
46 describes God as a safe place and a source
of strength, always ready to help in trouble.
It encourages believers to be still and
recognize God’s power. This Psalm’s description
of God’s protection and victory over chaos
reflects the peace promised in Revelation.
Psalm
46 describes God as a safe place and a source
of strength, always ready to help in trouble.
It encourages believers to be still and
recognize God’s power. This Psalm’s description
of God’s protection and victory over chaos
refiects the peace promised by God himself
over and over throughout the Bible and revealed
in the end times.
Psalm
135 praises God for His amazing acts and
His enduring name. It tells of God's wonders
in creation and history, contrasting Him
with powerless idols. The praise for God’s
deeds foreshadows the eternal praise given
to God in Revelation, reinforcing God’s
ultimate victory over false gods.
STICKS
AND STONES | 2 Kings 19:6
Isaiah
reassures Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says
the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the
words that you have heard." All I can
hear is, "Sticks and stones may break
my bones, but words will never hurt."
However,
we know words can be like a sword, carrying
both life and death. They can bring warmth
and security or turn into a raging fire,
causing destruction. Isaiah reminds us not
to fear man's words but to respect the words
of the Lord—the words of life and truth.
Heart Check.
Are
you fearing the words of man or the Word
of God?
GET
IN HIS HEAD | 2 Kings 19:8-13
While
studying this, I watched the newest Cars
movie with my youngest.
Near
the end, the new racer faces threats and
half-truths from her enemy, but Lightning
McQueen encourages her by saying, "See
what you did? You made him fear you!” and
“He is trying to get into your head!”
Similarly,
bullies and enemies whisper threats to make
us feel insignificant, but it's because
they fear the power of our Almighty God
within us. Our light shines like a beacon,
and when we are under attack, remember that
the enemy fears us. Heart Check.
Are
you getting into the head of the enemy?
PAUSE
AND REFLECT| Psalm 46:10
The
word "Selah" means to pause and
refiect. Considering this psalm was written
during distress, we should slow down and
refiect on our reactions. Do we pause before
reacting in heated moments?
I
used to be hot-headed, but the Holy Spirit
reminds me to slow down and not give in
to the enemy, who wants us to speak in anger
and sin. Heart Check.
Are
you pausing and being still before you speak?
BE
STILL | Psalm 46:10
"Be
still, and know that I am God." This
phrase needs to be understood in today's
language.
The
term "Rafa" is a strong proclamation
to surrender, release, and let go. Jesus
demonstrated this when He calmed the storm
in the Sea of Galilee by saying, "Be
still." It's not a gentle suggestion
but a command to stop opposing God and acknowledge
His sovereignty.
Is
it time to surrender and stop the raging
chaos in your life?
ROOTS
AND IDENTITY | Psalm 80:8-13
"You
brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out
the nations and planted it. You cleared
the ground for it; it took root and filled
the land." This imagery of a vine planted
and growing into a majestic tree symbolizes
the identity and resilience of the Israelites.
Even if cut down, their deep roots in Yahweh
ensure they can regrow stronger, like the
resilient Sequoia trees.
Is
your identity in Jesus Christ? If you were
cut down today, would you grow back stronger?
Deep
Dive
How
does the mercy of God over Jerusalem help
you better understand the wrath of God for
those who profane His name?
If
one angel can take out 185,000 men, what
does it mean to be the Lord of Hosts or
the Lord of heavenly armies?
Rewrite
Psalm 46 with your name in the place of
Israel. God is your fortress—use this in
times of need and comfort.
List
10 reasons why you should praise the name
of the Lord.
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your sovereignty
and for delivering Jerusalem.
We
marvel at Your might, knowing that a single
angel can defeat an entire army. We come
to You, Lord, in our laments, acknowledging
that sometimes we must endure the consequences
of our actions. Yet, Your redemptive plan
and mercy give us hope. You are worthy of
all praise, our Creator, Redeemer, and the
Author of our stories.
We
are in awe of Your power and knowledge.
Every star, every bloom, and every life
event is orchestrated for Your glory. Help
us surrender to Your purpose and trust in
Your plan. Empty us of ourselves so You
remain first in our hearts and minds. We
stop trying to control our stories and let
You write them.
Bolster
us with Your word and love, for we know
You already won the victory. Thank You for
fulfilling prophecies and for the promises
yet to be fulfilled.
Isaiah
49, the Messiah, calls the people to prepare
for His arrival. He declares complete confidence
in the Lord's redemption and reward. The
Messiah will not only be a Savior to Israel
alone but also to the nations, and the greatest
on earth will worship and praise Him. He
will come as a covenant, with mercy and
blessing for the people, and promises to
set them free. Promises to be faithful to
His people all He has declared and to give
them comfort.
Isaiah
50, the Lord proclaims His love for His
people towards those who doubt His love
and mighty power. He prophesies this coming
Servant and His complete submission to the
Lord's will as he awaits His vindication.
The Servant cries out to the people to submit
to the Lord as He leads the example in complete
humility.
Isaiah
51 the Lord reminds the people of His unwavering
faithfulness to them since the time of their
father Abraham, and for them to accept that
as a receipt for His future faithfulness
to them. Eternal salvation and righteousness
are promised to them as he invites them
to revere Him as their Protector and Judge
and not the temporary alliances of mankind.
A call to the people to wake up and notice
that the Lord will redeem them, and their
enemies will be subject to the wrath of
the Lord.
Isaiah
52 prophesies the joyous celebration when
the Lord will redeem His people. The Lord's
people will recognize the Lord their God,
and the whole earth will bear witness to
who God is. God's people will boldly walk
from captivity as the Lord guides and paves
their way. The prophesied Messiah will be
humiliated by mankind, but the Lord will
exalt Him and bring salvation to the people.
Isaiah
53 reveals how mankind will view the coming
Messiah. His appearance will be humble,
plain, and not regarded as one deserving
of adoration. The Messiah will surrender
His life to see the people justified before
the Lord. His sacrifice will be a pleasing
atonement before the Lord. In triumph, He
will be rewarded for His faithfulness and
exalted above all the people for His sacrifice.
SUPPORTING
EVANGELISM | Isaiah 49:6
What’s
sad is that Israel was supposed to be the
light to the nations, but they lost sight
of their calling and their purpose. This
is why Jesus came, as the Light of the World,
to be what they were not.
THEN,
when Jesus died, the apostles carried that
torch of evangelism, and now we do the same.
But do we? Heart Check.
How
are you answering the call to evangelism?
Do you support missions or ministries that
take the gospel throughtout the world?
MORNING
BY MORNING | Isaiah 50:4
Most
people would say that Jesus had wisdom and
the right words to speak simply because
He was God.
While
this is true, He shows where that wisdom
came from here. It didn’t just appear out
of nowhere. He had it because of the time
He spent with His Father morning after morning.
When everyone else was sleeping, He was
at His Father’s feet, listening to His Words
and seeking His face. If we ever find ourselves
saying, “I wish I had that kind of knowledge”
or “I wish I had that kind of relationship
with Jesus,” then I hear the Holy Spirit
saying to us in this Heart Check.
Are
you coming to the Father morning by morning?
Are you awake when everyone else is sleeping?
Are you spending time listening to His voice
and seeking His Face?
MISCALCULATING
THE MESSIAH | Isaiah 50:2
Because
Jesus was not what the people expected,
they basically said, “Next!” and they are
still waiting for their Messiah to come
today. In other words, they were not impressed
with who He was or what He did.
He
wasn’t handsome enough, regal enough, or
probably even strong enough to human eyes.
Because
of this, they miscalculated His importance
and deemed Him insignificant. This still
happens today when people get saved and
expect this knight in shining armor to change
their circumstances completely.
But
if it doesn’t happen overnight, they go
back to their old way of living and never
even get to know Jesus for who He really
is and how He can change them for the better
rather than their circumstances. Heart Check.
What
is your calculation of the Messiah? Does
He live up to your expectations? Are you
still getting to know Him? Orare are you
blown away by who He is?
Deep
Dive
How
has the prophecy of the Servant-Messiah
been fulfilled and what is yet to come according
to Isaiah?
How
does God respond to rejection? How might
we face rejection as Christians and how
should we deal with it?
What
in our world is in need of restoration and
redemption? Do you believe God has His eye
on that?
How
does Jesus’ obedience to His mission inspire
you in your personal and professional life?
How
can we contribute to “regathering Israel”?
How do we reconcile that with the evil that
may exist there?
We
know there is an urgency in the call, as
we are drawing nearer to your return. I
pray that this is not something that any
of us will ever fear, but instead, may we
see it as the privilege that it is that
we are seeing prophecy fulfilled every single
day. We are like children, staying at relative’s
house, counting down they days until our
parents get back from vacation so we can
go home. It’s a concept that a lot of people
have a hard time grasping because it’s the
fear of the unknown. It’s the inability
to comprehend that heaven could possibly
be better. But we know that it far surpasses
even the greatest things we’ve ever experienced
on this earth. It’s our best day times infinity.
So there is nothing to fear but everything
to glory in.
Thank
you, Jesus, for lovingly and willingly going
heart first into the mission to save us
from judgment. You could see the cross on
that hill, you could see the su£ering
that you would face, yet you plotted the
coordinates and started marching forward
without hesitation. And it’s all because
you love us. You know, better than anyone
else, how important it is to be in relationship
with the Father, and you wanted that for
us. Even when you faced the worst rejection,
beating, shame, and humiliation, you turned
your heart to heaven and pressed on. May
we be the same. Our greatest trials pale
in comparison to what you went through,
but you understand us and have compassion
on us when we do face them. That is why
you so desire to be with us—because it is
your heart to bring comfort and healing.
Thank you for being that healing for us.
By your wounds, we truly are healed.
So
I pray that we never cease telling the world
of your greatness—let our feet be ones that
are called beautiful and may your great
name be exalted over all the earth. Give
us a heart for evangelism and may we continue
carrying the torch that you lit for the
apostles. Thank you for choosing us to continue
that work—what an honor it is to be known
by the faithful and Holy One of Israel.
Thank
you for the promise of restoration and redemption.
Your love is unshakeable and your plans
for us are always to prosper us. It may
not always feel that way, but this is why
we don’t live by feelings. We walk by faith.
I pray that this is a message of hope for
anyone who is enduring any su£ering
or pain, physically, spiritually, or even
emotionally. You promise to be their strength,
so may they reach out and grab hold of that
today. Real strength comes from you alone,
so may we never forget that by turning to
our own means of self-reliance or self-sustenance.
Thank
you, Jesus, for loving us with such a boundless,
sacrificial, and selfiess love. We can’t
even fathom the su£ering you went
through for our sake, yet you deserved none
of it. You absorbed all our sin and all
of the pain that comes with it, and because
so, the world is able to have hope in the
darkest of times. We don’t need to fear
death, for it has no hold on us. We look
forward to the eternal life that is ahead
of us. But while we are here, may we embody
the same heart that you did for others.
One that is sensitive, humble, submitted,
compassionate, quiet, and still before the
Father. There are not enough words to express
our gratitude, but we know that you see
straight to the heart.
In
Isaiah 54, the Lord again promises His people
a day when He will replace the shame and
disgrace they have endured under judgment
and restore their numbers and land. They
will no longer feel abandoned by the Lord
their God, and He will again show them kindness
and mercy. They will again prosper as a
people and nation, and He will provide peace
and protection for the nations.
Isaiah
55 declares a future blessing for the people.
It is a beautiful invitation to accept His
goodness and leadership once more. The Lord
promises to make a covenant with His people
that will never end. When the people again
seek Him and pursue righteousness, He promises
to hear and forgive them.When they see the
blessings He will bestow on their nation,
people from all over the world will gather
with them. The Lord gloriously reminds His
people that His wisdom is beyond compare
and His plan for them is more excellent
than they could imagine.
Isaiah
56, the Lord again rings out a call to the
people to return to righteousness. When
they become discouraged and live with the
consequences of their rebellion, a call
to repentance and righteousness is declared.
Although it may seem the Lord has left them,
He wants them to know He will be there waiting
for them to trust Him and walk in obedience.
The Lord speaks judgment upon the wicked
leaders of Judah, who have been unfaithful
and led the people astray. They have followed
their desires and can now not discern the
Lord's continual warning.
Isaiah
57 states that the people are chastised
by the Lord for disregarding the righteous
among them. They arrogantly assume they
are more righteous in their stations and
that death is the only hope the righteous
have. Israel's wickedness is seen as spiritual
adultery against His holiness. In their
disobedience and arrogance, they have fooled
themselves into believing the Lord approves
of their behavior and still accept their
o£erings to Him. His mercy and grace
have been abused, and His long-su£ering
of their harlotry has come to an end. Their
judgment is pronounced, but an invitation
to return to the Lord is again extended.
In
Isaiah 58, the Lord exposes their hypocrisy
by allowing them to cry out to Him in despair
when their prayers are unanswered, but they
refuse to turn their hearts towards Him.
He reminds them of the standards he had
set for their sacrifices, worship, and care
of the people. Blessings await them and
their land if they continue to do what is
righteous.
PERPETUATING
DISGRACE | Isaiah 54:4
There
are things I have done in my life that I
wish could be remembered no more by anyone.
The enemy loves to taunt me with, “Just
wait until I tell them…” If I’m being honest,
my past disgraces me. It disqualifies me
in every way from doing ministry.
I
fit the prototype of a disciple because
the ones Jesus called were less than perfect.
And He did that with purpose because none
of us are qualified for this. None of us
deserve the grace that we get from Him.
Yet we don’t o£er that same grace
to those who fall—that’s where the word
dis-grace comes in. When someone disappoints
us or fails, we walk away rather than pick
them up. Or even worse, we pick up stones
to give them what they deserve. But what
an opportunity we have to be like Jesus
in those moments by truly forgiving and
remembering no more. We can’t hold things
over people’s heads, including our heads.
Heart Check.
Is
there something that you are ashamed of
that needs to be forgotten? Or is there
somethig that you continue to hold over
someone else's head that needs to remembered
no more? Are you perpetuating disgrace and
shame?
BUYING
SATISFACTION | Isaiah 55:2
While
I wouldn’t call myself a hoarder, I definitely
like stu£, and I have a hard time
getting rid of it. But the Lord has really
been working on my heart with this because
the more that clutters my home, the more
clutter I also have in my brain and spirit.
Several
years ago, I read Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing
Magic of Tidying Up, and it was truly life-changing.
There were many things that I implemented
into my life and continue to do them today.
But then I get into my little creative jams
and want to buy everything for the project
I’m doing, only to find that in a few months,
those things no longer satisfy, and I’m
once again sitting in piles of stu£.
This verse checked my heart in the best
way today because I want to hear this question
ring in my head every time I’m about to
hit “buy now.” Heart Check.
What
are you spending your money on? Does it
truly satisfy? Could that money be used
for something more valuable?
MOLDING
GOD’S WORD | Isaiah 55:8-9
This
is where many people fall away from God’s
Word—the moment they don’t understand why
God would do what He did, or if they cannot
comprehend the entirety of the Word, they
walk away in frustration.
But
here we see the Lord clearly telling us
that we are not meant to know and understand
everything because our little human minds
can only relate to His thoughts. We will
never be able to master them because we
are not God. His knowledge and wisdom are
so beyond us that we would be foolish to
try to conform His Word to our way of thinking.
Heart Check.
Are
you trying to fit God and His Word intoyour
mold or your purpose? Or are you striving
to fit into His plan?
HEART
FOR THE OUTCAST | Isaiah 56:8
Israel
had become so self-focused that they thought
it was them, the elitists in God’s kingdom,
against the Gentile world. But here, the
Lord is clearly telling them that His heart
is to gather the whole earth. And we can
sometimes get this way as Christians. In
fact, I saw a post today from a Christian
infiuencer who spoke of her joy when everyone
realized she was right about the pre-tribulation
rapture.
And
my heart broke because I thought that was
not something to celebrate. The thought
of millions of people being left behind
to suffer should not get us excited. If
anything, it should bring sorrow that leads
us to work even harder to get people saved,
rather than touting this “bye Felicia” attitude
idea that we get to escape it’s their problem
to deal with. That is not the heart of Christ.
I believe He will be weeping with both joy
in gathering us but also sorrow in the ones
who are left. Heart Check.
Do
you have a heart for the outcasts? Or are
you only focused on the ones who are in
the kingdom?
SABBATH
| Isaiah 56:1
The
Sabbath is one of the most highly debated
topics among Christians. Some believe we
are still called to honor it, while others
think that because Jesus said that the Sabbath
was fulfilled through Him and because He
is our rest, we no longer need to honor
it. I personally take a Sabbath day of rest
because it has been a personal conviction
to do so, and I am not going to dishonor
what the Lord has spoken to me.
I
also will not argue with you if you believe
it is unnecessary because that is your conviction.
But we know that Jesus and His disciples
honored the Sabbath until His resurrection,
and they did so on Saturday. It was a creation
ordinance and is one of the Ten Commandments.
No one disputes that.
But
the reason why I will not argue with someone
over it is because of what Paul says in
Col. 2:16-17: “Therefore do not let anyone
judge you by what you eat or drink, or with
regard to a religious festival, a New Moon
celebration or a Sabbath day. These are
a shadow of the things that were to come;
the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Then,
in Romans 14:5 he says, “One man considers
one day more sacred than another; another
man considers every day alike. Each one
should be fully convinced in his own mind.”
So,
I am fully convinced that I need a day without
work. Heart Check.
Are
you fully convinced in your mind about the
Sabbath? Do you hold it fast? Or is it no
longer necessary?
SPIRITUAL
VENEER | Isaiah 58:1-7
Up
to this point, Isaiah had been calling the
people to repentance and to return to the
Lord. But that was just the first step.
When we become Christians, the Lord continues
to take us one step further into the deep
water. He continues to stretch, prune, and
make us better so that we can live a life
that is set apart.
Here,
He’s working on the hypocrisy in the people’s
hearts. They were doing all the right things,
but it was all for a show, as they continued
living in sin and pursuing pleasure instead
of righteousness. They had on a spiritual
veneer while missing the mark of having
a real genuine relationship with God beneath
the surface as they failed to do what they
were called to do.
This
is what is known as the sin of omission—knowing
what is right and not doing it. It’s a subtle
sin and can be easily glazed over because
of this thick veneer of religious duty.
Heart Check.
Is
there a spiritual veneer over you life?
Is the Lord doing work in you beneath the
surface?
Deep
Dive
What
promises do you see in these chapters and
how can you apply them to your life?
Did
God truly forsake Israel? How does this
relate to the way Jesus felt on the cross?
What
weapons might form against us as Christians?
How will God stop them?
In
what ways does the world seek to satisfy
spiritual thirst? Are those things redeemable?
How do we reconcile these things with living
for God?
What
parallels can you see between these prophecies
and today’s world?
What
is true fasting and how might we practice
it?
No
matter how far we stray, you are always
there to pick us up with a great big hug
and love us through our insecurities and
shame. Thank you for never holding our past
over our heads, but instead, you toss it
away and don’t allow us to sit in our disgrace.
I pray that you will help us to do the same.
Help us to forgive ourselves and others
and not hold on to what was done in the
past. May we have the same compassion that
you have in allowing our relationships to
grow and fiourish from mistakes that were
made. And if others try to hold us to our
past, Lord, we know that you will refute
every tongue that rises against us in judgment.
May their words be silenced.
Thank
you for meeting every need that we have.
As we commit our lives to you, we begin
to experience the comfort and peace that
was so unattainable before. So if anyone
is feeling grieved in their spirits or alone,
will you wrap your loving arms around them
and remind them how much you love them and
how you will never leave or forsake them.
When
we begin to doubt, remind us of your covenant
of peace that shall never be removed from
us.
Thank
you for the promise of prosperity, protection,
peace, and security that we have in you.
No weapon formed against us will prosper,
so we will not fear any bad news that comes
our way. You hold the world in the palm
of your hand, and our lives are right there
with it. Help us to teach our children about
this peace so that they will have peace
in the ever-growing chaos in this world.
Thank
you for the open invitation that is available
to us all to come to you, regardless of
anything we have done. Many don’t realize
what is plaguing their souls, because they
can’t seem to find anything to quench their
thirst and to bring satisfaction. Only you
can do that. So I pray that all will see
and turn to receive that free gift of grace
and salvation today. May we continue to
come to you for nourishment every day that
we live and breathe, for we know our relationship
with you doesn’t stop at salvation but is
only the beginning of what can be the greatest
thing we’ve ever known. But it requires
some e£ort on our part. We have to
come to the table and diligently listen
to you. We need discernment to understand
what is good and what is permissible. We
need to have a good attitude and delight
in what you’ve spoken to our hearts. So
we ask for understanding today, never trying
to exceed or rise above your thoughts, but
to be able to hear and apply them to our
lives in such a way that will bolster our
faith so we can fulfill your purpose, rather
than trying to get you to fit into our plans.
If there are any barriers that are keeping
us from seeking you wholeheartedly, please
show us or remove them completely.
Help
us to be faithful to plant seeds of faith
all around us, and may we do so with the
utmost care and e£ort. You don’t ask
us to be “successful”—you call us to be
faithful. So I pray that we will be faith
focused rather than results focused. But
faith with no e£ort will not produce
the fruit that diligence will. So I pray
that we will put our best foot forward to
do good works, fully trusting that you will
follow behind us to continue to cultivate
what was planted. Every Word that comes
from your mouth will bear fruit, for it
never returns void.
Thank
you for welcoming everyone into your kingdom,
breaking all barriers and societal norms.
This is the epitome of what inclusivity
is, and it has nothing to do with race or
religion. You embrace all who come to you
seeking justice and righteousness. You promise
to bless those who do. I pray that you will
continue to speak to our hearts about what
the Sabbath is and what it means for us
as believers. May we be fully convinced
in our own minds and treat one another with
love and respect should their beliefs about
it di£er. May we not be a stumbling
block in any way nor be judgmental in our
arguments or disagreements.
For
anyone feeling marginalized or outcast in
any way, help them to know that they belong
just as much as anyone else. Remove any
doubts or insecurities from their hearts
so that they can run this race of life with
vigor. May we not be an instrument that
keeps them feeling as though they are not
welcome. May we have a gathering heart like
yours. Give us eyes to see and may we set
our posts on the watchtowers, being a voice
of hope but also a voice of warning to those
who are living in rebellion.
In
this time that we are still here, we know
that you are holding your peace, and we
are grateful for it. But we also feel the
urgency to answer the call to wake up and
prepare the way. Thank you for never giving
up on us. Please show us what we need to
do within ourselves first, and I pray that
we will carry with us, each day, your heart
to heal and restore others with the utmost
grace and love.
And
as we worship you in our daily living, I
pray that we fight against any temptation
to put up a front for the sake of appearing
spiritual without any sort of transformation
beneath the surface. May we always be authentic
in the way we serve you and in the way we
meet the needs of those around us. May our
light break forth like the dawn and may
righteousness go before us as you stand
guard behind us. Thank you for continually
guiding us and giving us the desires of
our hearts as we delight ourselves in you.
Your Living Water never ceases to bring
refreshment and rest. We are so grateful
for it.
In
Isaiah 59, the prophet begins by correcting
the people's misguided understanding that
the Lord cannot help them in their trials.
He lists the depth of their sinful depravity
and chastises them for blaming the Lord
instead of looking to themselves for the
reason they receive no justice in their
circumstances. Isaiah prophesies that the
Lord has waited for an intercessor to stand
up for the people and defend His glory.
None have stood up to lead in righteousness,
so He will fight for His own honor, glory,
and people. The Lord promises to redeem
all who acknowledge Him and create a new
covenant with His people. This covenant
will be everlasting, and His Spirit and
Word will never depart from them.
Isaiah
60 is a beautiful prophecy of the coming
Millenial Kingdom when the nations will
recognize Israel as the center of worship
to the Lord. The Lord will gather His people
from all over the world to possess their
land forever without end. They will no longer
endure persecution or judgment but enjoy
abundant wealth and leisure during this
time. Their enemies will bow at their feet
and bring their treasures to Jerusalem to
acknowledge and worship the Lord as their
King and give Him glory. The Lord will shine
His light, and there will be no need for
the sun or the moon, for His glory will
radiate throughout the world.
Isaiah
61 begins with a declaration from the Messiah
about the work He will accomplish in His
people to free them from their sin and its
e£ects. He will rebuild and restore
every part of them, and they will receive
a holy assignment. He will see that joy
is never lacking, and His people will receive
blessings of honor among the nations. The
people will be clothed with salvation and
righteousness. All the world will praise
Him for His perfect justice, and His blessings
will grow continually.
Isaiah
62 is a prayer Isaiah proclaims will be
his never-ending prayer until righteousness
returns to Israel. Isaiah anticipates the
day the Lord will fulfill all of His promises
He has spoken to Israel. On the day the
Lord brings righteousness to Israel, they
will never again lack the Lord's presence,
for He will be with them eternally. At this
time, the Lord has promised to transform
them entirely into a people and will give
them a new name. Isaiah calls out to the
people to prepare the way for all of Israel
to return to the land and anxiously anticipate
the arrival of their Savior.
Isaiah
63 describes the judgment that is prophesied
as a metaphorical winepress. The Lord Himself
will bring His judgment upon Isaiah reminds
the people that the Lord alone is responsible
for vengeance and vindication, as He will
right the wrongs done to His city, Zion.
A prayer of anticipated praise is prophetically
spoken from the exiled, as they beautifully
remember how the Lord rescued and delivered
them from Egypt and is mighty to rescue
them again. An ending prayer for mercy is
cried out to the Lord again from the exiled.
Although it does not correctly judge the
character of God, it describes the agonizing
pain of separation they will endure from
the Lord.
GOOD
NEWS BEARERS | Isaiah 61:1
This
was Jesus’ first message, which he preached
in Luke 4:16-22. The Spirit of God was upon
Him and He was anointed to bring good news.
If
you think about it, sinners loved to hang
around Him because of this. They fiocked
to Him because He made them feel loved and
not condemned. He made it a point to pull
people in when they were about to be stoned
for things they did wrong. He was a Good
News Bearer rather than Bad News Bear. And
I think, “Are we fulfilling that as the
church today?”
Judging
by social media, it feels like we’re failing
miserably. What about you? Heart Check.
Do
sinners like to be around you? Are you bearing
good news? Or do you only bear offense and
condemnation?
WEARING
JESUS | Isaiah 61:3
This
is the heart of Jesus—to bring us out of
a place of sadness and to give us joy unspeakable.
Instead of feeling like we can’t possibly
get through another day, he gives us a garment
of praise that we can wear to lift our spirits.
He gives us the strength of an oak whenever
we are weak. But while all these things
are freely given to us and at our disposal,
we have the choice in whether we are going
to keep our Jesus on or take it all off.
If I’m being honest, sometimes my Jesus
comes off in the car. I do a lot of
repenting behind the wheel. Heart Check.
Do
you have your garments of praise, beauty,
and gladness on? Where did you take your
Jesus off?
STOLEN
JOY | Isaiah 61:7
Notice
it doesn’t say temporary joy.
This
is an everlasting joy, meaning no one can
take it from you. And we first have to remember
that there is a di£erence between
happiness and joy.
Happiness
is an emotional response to happenings or
circumstances. It’s fieeting. But joy is
a state of being that is characterized by
contentment and satisfaction with life.
That means we choose joy. We choose to be
content, and we choose satisfaction by having
a heart of gratitude rather than entitlement.
So unless we give our joy away, no one can
take it from us. Heart Check.
Is
something stealing your joy? Have you given
it away? What's keeping you from taking
it back?
PERSISTENT
PRAYER | Isaiah 62:6-7
These
watchmen were referring to the prophets,
who would sit on their posts on the watchtowers
and keep an eye out for possible attacks
by an incoming enemy. If they slept, they
put the entire village at risk. If they
were silent, everyone would be a sitting
duck. They had to keep a watchful eye 24/7.
If we are called to be watchment. this speaks
to our prayer life. Prayer isn’t something
that we schedule out. But sometimes that’s
the way it is. For some of us, we pray before
Bible study, pray before our meals, pray
before bedtime, and maybe pray at church.
There’s no persistence. But the most effective
prayer warriors are the ones who are watching
all day and all night and keeping that open
line of communication with the Lord. This
doesn’t mean we are bowing down in the middle
of Costco, but you can absolutely pray in
your spirit at any time. Often times we
will say that we will pray about something
or pray for someone, but we put it off
and don’t end up doing it. The best thing
you can do is pray right then and there.
It doesn’t need to be long, it just needs
to be sincere. Heart Check.
Are
you in persistent prayer?
REMEMBERING
MERCIES | Isaiah 63:7-14
We
have to remember that the original audience
is generations removed from these particular
events taking place, so it was essential
to pass these accounts down verbally to
their children so that they could remember
these things. We are now thousands of years
removed, and we thank God for the written
Word.
But
where does that leave our personal experiences
with God’s mercies? It’s just as easy for
us to forget today as it was for them. This
is why we should write these things down.
After all, we write checklists, grocery
lists, and to-do lists… because we know
our minds are quick to forget. Heart Check.
How
do you remember God's mercies?
Deep
Dive
In
what ways have you seen the lines of sin
blurred in society?
Are
there any parallels between Israel’s sin
and our nation’s sin? Is this judgment applicable
to us?
How
is light depicted throughout these chapters
and how is it on display today?
How
does the church relate to transformation
of Jerusalem?
How
is Jesus’ divine mission described and what
parts have been fulfilled? What is yet to
come?
How
do we reconcile God’s nature of being a
righteous judge and merciful savior?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you that there is nothing
that can separate us from your love.
While
we know that, we also understand that we
can be separated from being in fellowship
with you if we willingly persist in our
sin. So I pray that if there is anything
that is keeping us from being in an unhindered
relationship with you, that you will expose
it so we can’t even question or justify
it in our hearts any longer. Show us the
clear boundaries of sin, especially where
the world has begun to blur the lines. Forgive
us, Lord. And thank you for the immediate
forgiveness that you so graciously give
to us. Salvation and redemption is always
within reach as you relentlessly pursue
us. So I pray that we never turn our backs
on this beautiful eternal covenant that
you have made with us—one that o£ers
peace. There is nothing in this world that
will ever provide that.
Thank
you for divinely intervening when we fail
to rise up and do the right thing. By your
right arm of strength and salvation, you
gave us Jesus. You came, bearing righteousness
on your heart, and you wrapped us up in
it, placing the helmet of salvation on our
heads so that we would be protected from
the wrath we so deserve. It will never make
sense to us, but we are so grateful.
We
are so grateful for this encouragement today,
that no matter how dark or bleak our situation
or what is taking place on the world stage
may be, your light will soon break forth,
bringing with it restoration, peace, and
transformation. Until then, may we remember
these scriptures so that we do not confuse
who the real enemy is. We know the antichrist
spirit is already at work, even in Israel,
and this is setting the stage for the hatred
of your Holy Land. So may we not fall into
that trap of deception. Give us clear understanding
of what is happening so that we can help
others understand the truth.
Just
as we see your transformative power over
Israel, this is available to us today. We
don’t have to wait for your 2nd coming to
witness it. This is your desire for us,
your children, those who have seen the glory
of the Lord and have received the free gift
of salvation. So I pray that we do not forsake
it. Our salvation doesn’t end at one prayer.
It’s a continual renewing with constant
confession and repentance at the helm. So
we turn our hearts to you today and confess
of any wrongdoing. Thank you for the immediate
forgiveness of every sin we will ever commit.
May we partner with you to be completely
restored.
It
is such a beautiful thing to see how you
have such a profound love and concern for
those who are brokenhearted and poor in
spirit. But how you fiip the switch when
you come into our lives. You clothe us with
robes of righteousness, crown us with beauty,
and anoint us with the oil of gladness.
It’s
always at our disposal and always within
reach. We just need to put it on. So I pray
that when our spirits are downcast, that
we will remember this. No one and no thing
can steal our joy—it is everlasting and
can only be given away.
Thank
you for setting us free. Where we were once
bound by our sin, you have broken the chains,
and we are able to run wildly and freely
with you. We don’t have to wait for heaven
to be able to do this—we can experience
a piece of heaven on earth now. Show us
how to do that. Open up the time and space,
and when we recognize it, may we not hesitate.
I pray that we will bring others with us
to experience this same joy and peace that
is available to all. Help us to be bearers
of Good News and may we be a people who
welcome in rather than out cast others.
Show us how to show love while standing
in truth and not compromising. May we be
strong and steadfast in our faith but always
overfiowing with mercy and grace. Your love
is unwavering, so may ours be the same.
We
are so grateful for the new name that you
have given us and the new thing that you
are doing. May everyone see us for the new
person that we are in you, and may our righteousness
shine forth as a burning torch. I pray that
the way that we live our lives will be the
most powerful testimony for others. Preaching
is not always the most e£ective means
of ministering. But love always is. That
is what will shine the brightest.
I
pray that we will be persistent in prayer,
never ceasing to ask, seek, and knock. There
is no better way for us to build our faith
and relationship with you. Give us the passion
and zeal that Isaiah had for both you and
for the people. Show us what to pray for
if we don’t know and give us the words to
say. You don’t require any sort of formula
or even intelligence to pray—our spirits
can merely groan—and that passion is heard
by you.
