SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 37:21-38
OBSERVATION:
It is Sennacherib’s pride – taking credit for all his successes (24-25) – that was his downfall. It was God that ordained his victory… and his defeat (26).
Sometimes kings would parade the defeated kings through city streets with hooks in their noses and bits in their mouths (29). Sennacherib will be defeated, just as he defeated others.
The promise to eat what grows by itself (30) is a sign that the siege will be lifted. God promises to restore His people, according to the terms of the covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).
God rescues Jerusalem for the sake of David, to whom He made the promise that his throne would endure (2 Samuel 7:16).
God sends an angel of death killing 185,000 soldiers – a frightening slaughter, but consider how many thousands more were killed by these soldiers. Twenty years later Sennacherib dies (681 BC) while Jerusalem regains strength, as God promised.
APPLICATION:
Arrogant pride goes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). God is behind all our successes. He deserves the credit.
Humble prayer goes before the revival. For revival in the church, we need to humbly surrender ourselves to the Lord and to His purpose.
God keeps His promises from one generation to the next. We can hang on to God’s promises when circumstances seem to cast doubt on them.
Natural disasters and tragedies are a part of the unfolding plan and judgment of God. Only God knows the direct connections between sin and suffering, we should not try to blame these on sin (like saying the tsunami was because of the victims’ sins). It is not ours to decide who the sinner is, it is ours to repent whenever we hear of a tragedy or disaster (Luke 13:1-5).
PRAYER:
Lord, You are at work in the world, and all the events of history are a part of our unfolding plan and judgment. Help me to humbly acknowledge my own failures and recommit myself to living for You. Send revival to Your Church, Lord through humble, sincere prayer! Amen.