The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Isaiah 9-12
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Background Information: Isaiah 9-12
Isaiah prophesies that Zebulun and Napthali would be the first to fall to the Assyrians. When Jesus begins his public ministry, he reveals that they will be the first to see the light of the Savior of the world (Matthew 4:15-17). Isaiah is called to speak of God’s righteous judgment on sin, and he does this with terrible and astonishing historical accuracy. He is also called to proclaim God’s gracious covenant commitment. There is hope on the other side of the coming judgment. Isaiah spoke of the child born of a virgin who will be called Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). He elaborates more on the attributes of the character of this amazing child in chapter nine:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Israel will be cut down like a felled forest, leaving nothing but stumps, but from the stump of Jesse, the house of David will grow a shoot: a single man who will rise up as the long-awaited, perfect king. God is firmly in control of human history. Assyria is the tool of God’s judgment, after which he will judge Assyria for their sin. God uses everything to his own ends; this is something we cannot get our minds fully around. We should never be surprised or dismayed that we cannot fully understand God. We should beware if we ever believe that we have fully understood him. We should be grateful that God has given us accurate and adequate revelation of himself. We know that we are responsible for our choices, and God is sovereign over everything. How this works out in all of human history is not a math problem to be solved; rather, it is a reason to worship, trust, and obey God.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for CORE 520. Pray for refugees living in Wichita. Ask God to reveal himself to these refugees. Pray that they would find their eternal rest in Him.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.