Salvation: A Study in IsaiahSample
What does it say?
God healed King Hezekiah from a terminal illness. Hezekiah praised God but then showed his wealth to Babylonian messengers, which led to Jerusalem’s downfall.
What does it mean?
Imagine the unparalleled joy Hezekiah felt as he realized that God had saved him from a terminal illness. He sang a hymn of praise to the Lord. But in his high state of emotions, he made a crucial mistake. Whether he was being polite, foolish, or prideful is not certain. Regardless, showing everything in his treasure house was a costly mistake. Hezekiah was not thinking about the long-term effects of his impulsive behavior. Years later, all of Hezekiah’s wealth and weapons were confiscated by Babylonian raiders.
How should I respond?
Do you normally rely on God through the trials and tribulations that come your way? Even the most faithful Christian can make costly mistakes. Learn a lesson from Hezekiah. What decision do you need to make soon? Carefully think through all the ramifications. Share your plans with a trustworthy friend before you act; there is wisdom in godly counsel (Proverbs 15:22). Above all, stay sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. When you sense a warning signal – stop. Impulsive decisions happen quickly, but they can have long-lasting and negative results.
Scripture
About this Plan
God calls Isaiah to prophesy to the idolatrous and rebellious people of Israel. Although a season of destruction was coming, Isaiah also prophesied of a coming “servant of the Lord” who would be “pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities…and with His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Even amid deep wickedness, God was still painting pictures of a greater salvation to coming in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
More
We would like to thank Thomas Road Baptist Church for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.trbc.org