Bible Pathway - Aug. 7, 2012
Read Isaiah 32
Highlights:
Righteous king foretold; judgment upon nations; Israel threatened; Hezekiah's prayer; destruction of Assyrians.
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them. . . . thus saith the king . . . Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, the Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria (Is. 36:1,14-15).
Just eight years after he invaded and destroyed the Northern Kingdom, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked Judah (compare II Kin. 18:13-17 and II Chr. 32:1-8). It was during this time that King Hezekiah showed his great trust in God. He declared to the nation: With us is the Lord our God (II Chr. 32:8).
Hezekiah desperately sought to lead the people to trust in God as their only hope of survival against Assyria. When he read the letter which the Assyrian ambassador had brought them from Sennacherib, Hezekiah immediately took the letter to the Temple and spread it before the Lord. Then he sent an urgent message to Isaiah, asking the prophet to pray for the nation (II Kin. 19:15-19); II Chr. 32:20).
Hezekiah knew to whom to turn in times of trouble. As believers, we must also turn to God and His Word for help and guidance. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).
Hezekiah's prayer was short and simple, but sincere. There is no need for elaborate prayers with God. We simply need to come before Him believing and trusting that He is more than capable of meeting our need. God desires our prayers. The Apostles said: But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of The Word (Acts 6:4). Like the Apostles we should: Pray without ceasing . . . for this is the will of God (I Thess. 5:17-18). He wants us to pray in good times and bad times. The faithful Christian is one who prays even in the best of times. Then, when anything goes wrong, he instinctively turns to God in prayer because he is accustomed to turning to Him. If we truly live in fellowship with God, we will look to Him for all our needs. We will call out to God in prayer for we know He is our refuge and strength.
In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil. 4:6).
Thought for Today:
You can depend on God's promises; they cannot fail.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who, in judgment, wields the sword of the Lord (Is. 34:6). Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations (Rev. 19:15).
Word Studies:
32:2 covert, shelter; tempest, storm; 32:5 liberal, noble; churl, deceitful; 32:7 instruments, schemes; 32:19 low in a low place, completely destroyed; 33:9 hewn down, destroyed.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Beth Carlton • Country: Panama (3 million) in southern Central America • Major languages: Spanish and English • Limited religious freedom • 78% Roman Catholic; 12% Protestant; 5% Muslim; .1% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: God wants to be exalted through you (Ps. 46:10).
Optional Reading: James 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Habakkuk 3:18
