Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 14

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

Here is a worshipful prayer, pleading to the Lord both personally and corporately, followed by a vow unto God. The psalmist has a need and desire for personal deliverance and petitions to the Lord for such. At the same time, the psalmist understands that those in authority, in this case the king, is at the very heart of their social, economic and political world. Therefore, beyond personal prayer, there is a great need to pray for the leaders and those in authority, as their decisions and leadership determine the life and stability of the people. Regardless of the outcomes flowing from the sovereign will of God, those who trust in him will seek to honour and glorify him with their daily lives.

(Jeremiah 29:7; Psalm 2:10-11; Proverbs 21:1; Romans 13:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Once again, here we see the contrasting phrases which separate the successful and fruitful individual that values wisdom and correction, verses those who are unteachable, that despise edification and alteration. A man or woman of God may occassionally entertain a sinful quality, however the fact that they are of God means that they will at some point see profit in rebuke, correction and be drawn to repentance. Only one who is apart from God, outside of his wisdom, will remain a sluggard, a scoffer, one who seeks their own desires and ways; bringing destruction upon themselves, and potentially others.

(Proverbs 29:1; Isaiah 55:7; Romans 2:1-8; 2 Timothy 2:22-26)

The king of Assyria, Sennacherib, sends his official, Rabshakeh, to declare victory over Hezekiah and the Kingdom of Judah. The previous chapter records the pride of the Assyrians, as well as the mockery and disdain they have for the God of the Israelites. When Hezekiah hears of this he becomes greatly distressed (v.1), for the enemy had overtaken all of Judah’s major cities (18:13) and openly blasphemed his God in front of all the people. Hezekiah sees this as a judgement from God (v.3) and quickly seeks the Lord’s council through fervent prayer and the prophet Isaiah. The Lord blesses Hezekiah and the people with both protection and provision because they sought him earnestly, just as he simultaneously judges the Assyrians for their blasphemous deeds.

(Exodus 20:7; Psalm 31:23; Jeremiah 15:21; Nahum 1:7)