When the people of Israel were threatened would they give in to fear, or trust God’s promise? We may also feel the same pressures, and must answer the same questions.
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for the week of November 16, 2014
“Swords into Plowshares”
This first part of Isaiah was written for Judah (the Southern Kingdom), whose borders were being threatened by Assyria, the same country that had already conquered Samaria and defeated Israel a few hundred years before. The Rabshakeh (the chief steward of the king of Assyria, and messenger) threatened Judah and invited the people to surrender, promising they would be taken care of. King Hezekiah of Judah remained faithful to God, asking Isaiah to plead to God on behalf of Judah. God heard King Hezekiah’s plea and saved Judah from the Assyrian king. Once again, God’s promise of deliverance was kept.
Read:Follow the story of Hezekiah and Isaiah, and how God saved them from conquest and exile for many years.
Sunday, Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; 2:1-4, Swords into Plowshares
Monday, Isaiah 36:4-12, Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
Tuesday, Isaiah 37:8-13, Hezekiah Consults Isaiah
Wednesday, Isaiah 37:14-29, Hezekiah’s Prayer
Thursday, Isaiah 37:30-38, Sennacherib’s Defeat and Death
Friday, Isaiah 38:1-22, Hezekiah’s Illness
Saturday, Isaiah 39:1-8, Envoys from Babylon Welcomed
- How did God respond to Hezekiah’s words and actions? What were God’s promises to God’s people?
- How do you suppose God decides how to arbitrate when communities are at odds with each other?
- When have you trusted in God at a time when trusting took great courage? How did it turn out?
Do:Keep a prayer journal. Record your prayers and how God answers them.
Bless:God most powerful, speak confidence and courage to your people in the reading of your word today. Amen.
