5/26 Bible Reflection

​*5/26/2023* Bible Reflection guide  

 
Pause & Reflect
 

1. What has God been teaching you through last week’s message – “Because You Have Prayed” – from ISAIAH 37:21-38? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

 

 
21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him:
“‘She despises you, she scorns you--
    the virgin daughter of Zion;
she wags her head behind you--
    the daughter of Jerusalem.
 

1. [v.21-22] God saw the continued despising and scorning of His people. Even in this situation, how did He address His people?
2. *The biblical principle – Because we have prayed, we are made aware that whatever the circumstances are, God already knows and calls us His precious sons and daughters. How do you need to hear today God’s answer to your prayers, “I know already… you are my precious son and daughter”?

 

 
23 “‘Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel! 24 By your servants you have mocked the Lord, and you have said, With my many chariots I have gone up the heights of the mountains, to the far recesses of Lebanon, to cut down its tallest cedars, its choicest cypresses, to come to its remotest height, its most fruitful forest. 25 I dug wells and drank waters, to dry up with the sole of my foot all the streams of Egypt.
 

1. [v.23-25] How did Assyria mock and revile the LORD?
2. *The biblical principle – Because we have prayed, the raised voice is silenced and lifted eyes to the heights are brought low. How do you need to hear God’s answer to your prayers, “Quiet your voice... close your eyes before me”?

 

 
26 “‘Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass, that you should make fortified cities crash into heaps of ruins, 27 while their inhabitants, shorn of strength, are dismayed and confounded, and have become like plants of the field and like tender grass, like grass on the housetops, blighted before it is grown. 28 “‘I know your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against me. 29 Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.’
 

1. [v.26-29] The wicked Assyrians thought that their success came from their own power and achievements. Was that true? Who determined long ago to even allow evil to go its course to show the extent of undeserved grace?
2. *The biblical principle – Because we have prayed, we hear of everything that comes to pass is by God’s determined plan from days of old, and that He will get His day of vengeance for all those who rage against Him and His people. How do you need to hear God’s answer to your prayers, “I am still in control… nothing can escape my determined plan and my perfect judgment… I will make all things right”?

 

 
 
 
30 “And this shall be the sign for you: this year you shall eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs from that. Then in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. 31 And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
 

1. [v.30-32] Although the Assyrians had destroyed the surrounding farmland, what was the LORD’s sign that He would be faithful to deliver His people?
2. *The biblical principle – Because we have prayed, there will be a sign of providence from the LORD to take root downward and bear fruit upward. How do you need to hear God’s answer to your prayers, “There is a sign that I am providing and leading you… keep your roots in me and bear much good fruit for me”?

 

 
33 “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. 35 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”
 

1. [v.33-35] How would the LORD deliver His people from Assyria? Would they have to do anything?
2. *The biblical principle – Because we have prayed, we know the LORD defends and saves us for His own sake. How do you need to hear God’s answer to your prayers, “I am your Defender… to uphold my own glory and for the sake of my own reputation, I will protect you and deliver you”?

 

 
36 And the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 37 Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home and lived at Nineveh. 38 And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword. And after they escaped into the land of Ararat, Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.
33 “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. 35 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”
 

1. [v.36-38] How did the LORD strike down the Assyrians? What tragic end did the king of Assyria have to his reign and life?
2. *The biblical principle – Because we have prayed, against all odds it will be shown that the LORD fights on our behalf to fulfill His covenant promises and put an end to those who work against them.  How do you need to hear God’s answer to your prayers, “I am fighting for you… I am working for you… it will all depend on me, so trust me and rest in me”?

 

 
The central truth of this word was – Prayer is the process of coming to confess as Jesus had, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” King Hezekiah’s fruits of a godly prayer are evidenced when He turned away from seeking help in other gods/nations and put His trust wholly upon the LORD’s sovereign character to deliver. Because King Hezekiah prayed, he saw with greater clarity what God was already doing and the sign that He was at work. Prayer must make us aware with greater clarity that God already knows what we are going through, calls us His precious sons and daughters in the midst of it. It must silence our raised voice, bring low our lifted eyes, illumine God’s determined plan, show a sign of providence, upholding His glory for His own sake, against all odds prove that He fights on our behalf. So pray, unleash the power and fruits of godly prayer!
 – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
 

 
Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)