February 26, 2011

2-26-11 Saturday, 6:59 am Springfield, 34 degrees

I will leave shortly for the United Methodist Men’s breakfast, head from there to the Pancake breakfast at Applebees sponsored by our Kids of Creation, and then back to Wesley for a 9:30 visit with a member. The remainder of the day I have for sermon prep, exercise, rest, and preparation for the Board of Ordained Ministry Interviews which begin on Monday.

Isaiah 37

The first 7 verses are a continuation of the storyline of the previous chapter, and involve Hezekiah’s response of tearing his clothes, donning sackcloth as a symbol of repentance and humility and going to the house of the Lord. Through Isaiah God gives him a message which promises deliverance from the army of the Assyrians. Verse 36 records the event in which 185,000 soldiers were struck dead by the angel of the Lord, and Sennacherub departed, went back home to Ninevah, and was assassinated by two of his sons, with a third son taking his throne.

Verses 30-35 are a promise to the remnant of Judah. I am especially blessed by verse 31 “and the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.” This is a beautiful picture of the people of God trusting him for strength and bearing fruit. This is what I desire on a daily basis, to be growing deeper in my spiritual root system, and more fruitful in my life. May this be true for me today, most holy Lord of heaven and earth.