God’s Word is powerful. Oh, that we would all hunger for the Word of God. Today we continue a series where I share from my own story about passages in Isaiah. This week we are taking a look at Isaiah 37-40.
These chapters are about King Hezekiah and the kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah sees some amazing miracles. When the Assyrians surround Jerusalem and there is no hope, Hezekiah humbles himself and prays. In response, the angel of the Lord kills 185,000 soldiers in one night.
Later on Isaiah tells Hezekiah to get his things in order for he is going to die. Once again, Hezekiah humbles himself and prays. God sends Isaiah back to Hezekiah and God says his life shall be extended 15 years. God even makes the shadow of the sun go back 15 degrees on the sundial as a sign for him.
Hezekiah then receives envoys from the king of Babylon and shows them all his treasures. And God gives him a heavy word that all of these treasures shall be carried off to Babylon and some of his sons shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
Hezekiah’s response to this is shocking!! We find it in Isaiah 39:8 “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For He said, “At least there will be peace and truth in my days.”
I love Hezekiah. I want to meet him when I get to heaven. But that was a sad day not only for Hezekiah but for Judah as well. Hezekiah didn’t finish well. It’s easy to have the attitude, “As long as things are good for me who cares about our kids and future generations.” But that is furthest thing from the Father’s heart!
Then we transition to Chapter 40. This parallels the transition to the New Testament. Is. 40:3 speaks of John the Baptist, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
We go on to see the justice and mercy of the Lord together. . .the strength and tenderness all wrapped up in Jesus! Isaiah 40:10-11 “Behold the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him. . . He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm; And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.”
And at the end of Isaiah 40 this message of hope encourages us that even though young people faint and are weary, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.
Let’s not grow weary in well doing. Let’s finish well. Let’s press in and believe God for our generation and the next generation and the generation after that! Remember Isaiah 9? Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. It is happening in the earth.
This week let’s press in and believe for it to happen in our families and spheres of influence!
