S) "26 'Have you not heard?
Long ago I did it,
From ancient times I planned it.
Now I have brought it to pass,
That you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps.
27 'Therefore their inhabitants were short of strength,
They were dismayed and put to shame;
They were as the vegetation of the field and as the green herb,
As grass on the housetops is scorched before it is grown up.'"
Isaiah 37:26-27 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 37
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 37
O) This chapter is almost a verbatim copy of 2 Kings 19, which details the involvement of Isaiah, when Hezekiah, king of Jerusalem, was coming under siege from Assyria. The general of Assyria, Rabshakeh, was breathing vile threats against Jerusalem, recounting the victories of Sennacherib, his king. In particular, he pointed out that none of the gods of the other nations were able to do anything against Assyria, and that the people of Jerusalem should not expect the LORD to do anything, either. The LORD encouraged Hezekiah, telling him that deliverance was coming, but God also had choice words for the Assyrians. In the verses above, God declares His sovereignty and clarifies that the successes that Assyria had to that point were only because He willed them to be successful. This is not the first time (or the last), that God used one nation to execute judgment and punish other nations. The nations conquered by Assyria (see 2 Kings 18:33-35) were guilty of their own sins, and God used Assyria to destroy them. We see the same thing happen again, almost identically, with Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. God's sovereignty is complete. Whether or not He exercises His right and power with every circumstance can be debated, but it is clear biblically, that He has intervened with the outcomes of such world wars, even if the details are not always micromanaged. God intervenes when He wills to, and no one can resist His will when He decides to intervene.
A) Leaving aside particular beliefs about how closely God ordains events in the universe, it is enough for me to remember that He determines the winner in the end, and He is that winner. In my own life, when things are going well, I need to concede to give Him credit. When things are not going well, when I am feeling distraught or afflicted, I need to remember that He may be using circumstances to discipline me. At the same time, I need to remember that He is still sovereign, and in the end, He will win.
P) Father, You are strong and mighty to save. You are righteous and Your justice is good. You are a loving and merciful God. All of this, Your holiness, it humbles me. Lord, open my eyes to see the truth of every circumstance in my life. Help me to see You, Jesus, through all of the joys and sorrows that come up for me. I confess that I am still prone to arrogance and pride, and I still fail to keep You as the only One I worship in my heart. Please forgive me for this sin of idolatry, putting myself or other things ahead of You. I invite Your discipline, Lord, to teach me to keep my priorities straight. Let me keep my focus on You, and not only what You do for me. You are my portion and my reward. You are the very inheritance I should seek. Let me find You, and find my joy, peace, and satisfaction in You. Above all else, be glorified in my Life, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) Leaving aside particular beliefs about how closely God ordains events in the universe, it is enough for me to remember that He determines the winner in the end, and He is that winner. In my own life, when things are going well, I need to concede to give Him credit. When things are not going well, when I am feeling distraught or afflicted, I need to remember that He may be using circumstances to discipline me. At the same time, I need to remember that He is still sovereign, and in the end, He will win.
P) Father, You are strong and mighty to save. You are righteous and Your justice is good. You are a loving and merciful God. All of this, Your holiness, it humbles me. Lord, open my eyes to see the truth of every circumstance in my life. Help me to see You, Jesus, through all of the joys and sorrows that come up for me. I confess that I am still prone to arrogance and pride, and I still fail to keep You as the only One I worship in my heart. Please forgive me for this sin of idolatry, putting myself or other things ahead of You. I invite Your discipline, Lord, to teach me to keep my priorities straight. Let me keep my focus on You, and not only what You do for me. You are my portion and my reward. You are the very inheritance I should seek. Let me find You, and find my joy, peace, and satisfaction in You. Above all else, be glorified in my Life, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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