Tag: Bible

Reflections on II Kings 18-20 & II Chronicles 29-32

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Hezekiah becomes king of Judah.  Observe:

  • Hold Fast to the Lord – Hezekiah was a rare king who not only did what was right in God’s eyes, but even did it to the extent of David. He tore down all the places of idolatry.  He trusted God and turned to him in trouble.  He followed God and kept his commands.  He walked faithfully before the Lord with his whole heart.  How well does this describe you?
  • Revival – After years of apostasy, Hezekiah led the people back to God. They cleansed the temple, restored the sacrifices and singing, and worshipped the Lord together.  Many people humbled themselves and set their heart to seek the Lord.  How do you need to return to the Lord?

Q&A#6: Verses, Questions, Project

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#6
Q: What is the Word of God?
A: The Word of God is his flawless, unchanging, living, and abiding Word to us, consisting of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Memory Verses
Forever, O Lord, your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
– Psalm 119:89

 Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
– I Peter 1:23

Further Supporting Verses
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
– Proverb 30:5

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
– Luke 24:27

…as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you…as he does in all his letters….  There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
– II Peter 3:15-16

All Scripture is breathed out by God….
– II Timothy 3:16a

 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth….
– John 16:13

Reflection/Discussion Questions
Why is it important to your life that God’s Word is flawless, unchanging, and abiding?

How have you found God’s Word to be alive and active in your life?

How do the supporting verses give you confidence that the Bible really is God’s Word?

Project
Read Psalm 119 and reflect further upon God’s gift of His Word.

Reflections on Isaiah 36-39

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Assyria threatens Jerusalem, but God will deliver.  Babylon, not Assyria, will plunder Jerusalem.

  • Trust – Hezekiah provides a striking contrast to Ahaz back in chapters 7-8. While Ahaz looked to other nations for help, Hezekiah turned to the Lord, and the Lord answered.  Are you looking to the Lord for help in your troubles?
  • God Alone – The Assyrians mock God, claiming God cannot save Judah from their hands. But God hears.  God kills thousands of them in one night and sends them packing back to Assyria where the proud king is killed by his sons.  God alone reigns supreme over all the nations of the world.

Reflections on Isaiah 32-35

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

A king will reign in righteousness, but first judgment must come upon the nations.

  • God Is Our Salvation – In times of trouble, we should look to the Lord to be our salvation (33:2). He gives us stability in the midst of a chaotic world (33:6).  In what situations do you need to look to the Lord to be your salvation, your stability?
  • Coming Reign – A King is coming who will bring righteousness and justice and rest (32:1-2). Compare his coming reign to our world today.  How does his coming excite and encourage you?

Q&A#6: The Word of God

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#6
Q: What is the Word of God?
A: The Word of God is his flawless, unchanging, living, and abiding Word to us, consisting of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Forever, O Lord, your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
– Psalm 119:89

Since you have been born again,
not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living
and abiding word of God.
– I Peter 1:23

Reflections on Isaiah 28-31

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Judgment is coming upon Jerusalem, but restoration will follow.

  • Look to the Lord – In their calamity, Jerusalem looked to Egypt rather than God for help. God made clear that Egypt could not help them.  Are you looking to the Lord for help, or are you looking everywhere but God?
  • Heart – Israel’s hearts were far from God (29:13), so God says he will do wonder upon wonder (v14), that they might be in awe of God (v23). In what ways has your heart drifted from God?  Cry out to God that he might do wonder upon wonder, that your hearts might be drawn to him in awe.

Reflections on Isaiah 24-27

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God will bring judgment upon the earth, but a glorious day will follow.

  • Worship – This passage is filled with worship – praising and giving glory to God (24:14-16, 25:1). We can praise him because he is our stronghold, a shelter from the storm (25:3-4).  We can praise him because death and mourning will end (25:8), and the dead will rise (26:19).  Ponder these truths and praise the Lord!
  • Peace – We can find peace in the midst of trials when we keep our gaze set on the Lord and trust in him (26:3-4). What trials are you facing in your life?  Look to the Lord.  Trust him.  Find his peace.

Reflections on Isaiah 21-23

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Oracles of judgment continue: now against Babylon, Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon.

  • The Lord Has Spoken – God has spoken judgment on Babylon and because God has spoken, it will certainly happen (21:17). Do you believe God’s Word?  Are you trusting in his promises?  What he says, he will do.
  • Repentance – God called Jerusalem to repent of their sins, to return to the Lord. Instead, Jerusalem threw a final party before the enemy attacked.  Is God calling you to repent of some sin?  Are you listening?

Reflections on Isaiah 17-20

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Oracles of judgment continue, now against Damascus, Cush, and Egypt.

  • Look to the Lord – God calls us to look to him for help rather than idols made by men (17:7-8) or powerful nations that God can end in a moment. What help do you need today?  Seek help from the Lord.  Rest in him.
  • Peace and Worship – Again, Isaiah predicts a day of peace – even between enemies like Assyria and Egypt! Peace will reign as people unite in the worship of the true King of Kings. What a glorious hope we have!

Reflections on Isaiah 13-16

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today begins a series of oracles predicting God’s judgment upon the nations.

  • The Lord Reigns – God is not just the God of Israel, but he reigns over all the nations. He decides when nations form and when they end.  He brings judgment on Judah’s enemies: Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, and Moab.  None can annul God’s purpose or stop his actions (14:27).  How can this truth be an encouragement to you in a world often opposed to God?
  • Proud Humbled – God will humble the proud and the arrogant (13:11, 14:12-15). What pride do you need to confess to the Lord and turn away from?