The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Isaiah 23-26
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Background Information: Isaiah 23-26
Isaiah paints a picture of devastation by personalizing cosmic bodies. The earth mourns and staggers like a drunkard. The moon is put to shame, and the sun is disgraced. The Bible often uses this cosmic language to describe human suffering of epic proportions. In the last days, the stars are said to fall to the earth (Matthew 24:29, Revelation 6:13). Clearly, a star, like our sun, cannot fall to the earth, but these are poetic descriptions of actual events. The dramatic poetry is meant to impress on the reader how, for those who lived through these times, it does seem as though the cosmos has broken down into total disorder. People who live through a hurricane or a large tornado speak of how it felt like the end of the world. Imagine what it’s like for people who live through a terrible war where all of normal life breaks down into death, disease, and terror. Sin has brought all this trouble on the nations; dark devastation is coming, and yet there is salvation on the other side of devastation. Isaiah breaks out in praise to the Lord his God. All this is part of his perfect plan. We are not at the mercy of random dark forces or terrible human enemies. Even in times when it feels like your own world has descended into chaos and confusion, you must praise the Lord your God. When it feels like your world has fallen apart, that the stars are crashing to earth all around you, you must choose to turn your mind to the Lord, whose plans are perfect. There is peace–perfect peace–waiting for those who trust God. It may not be peaceful feelings, but it will be the peace of confidence in the Lord who controls all outcomes and works all things for the good of those who love him.
“You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. Isaiah 26:3
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Hope’s Gate. Ask God to use their ministry to bring the hope of the gospel to women working in the sex industry.
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.