Ezekiel 16-17 When God Speaks

by Jill Ice

I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.

Ezekiel 17:24

When God speaks, there is power. Let us consider the first reference in the Bible to God speaking, which is found in the third verse in the Bible.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:3

Not exactly small talk. All creation was brought into existence by the voice of God. When God said, “Let there be light”, there was light.  No way around it. God said it, so there it was.

When God speaks, there is certainty. God never says, “I hope to do this”, or “I think I will do that”. He says “I have spoken, and I will do it.” His promises are true. His covenant is everlasting. What He has begun, He will see to completion.

When we face uncertain times, God’s Word is our solid foundation. 

Ezekiel 5-8

"Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."  Ez. 8:18

And that about sums it up. This isn't a very popular passage is it? Not many songs are written from this text, and I'm pretty sure you would be hard pressed to find any verses from Ezekiel 5-8 on the back of any T-shirt.

This is a tough pill to swallow. We love to think of chapters like Psalm 103, and the truth that God is patient, and full of mercy is absolutely awesome. Thank you Lord! But just like anything, we will never understand the whole picture until we see both sides. So please don't miss this. God's righteous jealousy over sin shows His holiness, and that's the side of God that we need to be reminded about.

God hates sin.

He hates it so much his Son, Jesus Christ, had to die a horrific death to cover our sins.

God doesn't change, and he still looks at our sin the same way. The only difference now is that Christ died and rose back to life. Let's thank God for our Savior today. Without him we would be in the same place as these pitiful Israelites. But because He lives we can look to the cross this morning and rejoice that the Father can now hear us.

Ezekiel 1-4

by Paul Ice

Ezekiel was called by God to do some challenging things. God even told him about the opposition he would receive. 

            But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.

(Ezekiel 3:7 ESV)

God even had him act out various details of his message from God:

[1 He drew a map of Jerusalem on a large stone (4:11)

[2] Lay on his left side for three hundred and ninety days (4:4-5)

[3] Lay on his right side for forty days (4:6)

[4] Cook food on fuel made from dung (4:9-17)

Even the death of his wife was a sign that they would not return yet, and that the city and temple would not be spared.

And yet he fearlessly warned the people about their desperate need for repentance before they could even hope to return to Jerusalem. 

It puts our calling to reach others with God’s message into perspective.  It had to be hard to know that he would be rejected. 

Lamentations 3:37-5

by Adam Johnson


"I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, 'Do not close your ear to my cry for help!' You came near when I called on you; you said, 'Do not fear!'  Lamentations 3:55-57 


Everyone has times of discouragement, fear, and frustration. Jeremiah found himself at the lowest point of his life - his people rejected him, his homeland destroyed, and he saw no end to God's just punishment. The only thing he had left in this world was his relationship with God. He took that sole Resource and used it because he knew that it was reliable when his entire world was falling apart.

These verses show us several principles that we see in the New Testament - principles He uses to comfort us in our tribulations. In this world we will suffer setbacks, persecution, and failures; but He promises to never leave us or forsake us even in our chastisement for our sins. He will hear all of our pleas and cries because we are His children through the blood of His Son, Jesus. The relationship that we receive with God through Christ allows Him to give us encouragement repeatedly when He says, "Do not fear!" Fear is the sin that robs us of joy, our relationship with God, and stability in our trials. We know that He hears us in our desperate times, and we can  focus on His nearness as we call to Him for our refuge and strength.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  James 4:8a

Great is Thy Faithfulness

by Rebekah Johnson


"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  - Lamentations 3:21-23

One of my favorite passages in all of Scripture - I have hope because His steadfast love never ceases. His mercies are unending. Each day He gives us is accompanied by new mercies; we will never be without the protecting, guiding hand of our Father. He is always always faithful, and He will never fail us. 

Jeremiah 51-52 Fruit of Sin

by Jill Ice

Jeremiah 51 repeats the same old story. The new king – in this case, Zedekiah - hadn’t learned from history. He “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (verse two) and subsequently was cast out of the presence of the Lord (verse three).

The most heart-breaking fruit of sin is on display here because of Zedekiah’s choice -  separation from God.

But your iniquities have made a separation
    between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
    so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 59:2

When we sin we deliberately drive a stake in our relationship with God. We turn from sweet trust, communion with and dependence on God to set up idols (mainly ourselves) which can never satisfy. Communion with God is broken; separation is the replacement.

As we close the book of Jeremiah in our chronological reading, let us remember the lessons learned from it. Sin separates; repentance restores.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

Jeremiah 49-50 The Redeemer of the Nations

By Mike Durrill

[33] "Thus says the LORD of hosts: The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah with them. All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. [34] Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon. - Jer 50:33-34 ESV

When I read these passages I am struck once again by the absolute sovereign, yet merciful nature of God. God is Creator and He is also Controller. There is nothing in history that has taken Him by surprise.

God is also merciful, kind, gentle, and gracious giving opportunity upon opportunity for men and women to turn to Him for forgiveness and rest.

Babylon.

Used by God to oppress and discipline the disobedient children of Israel. Yet, will in turn be punished for their own failure to believe. In His mercy, God sent to Babylon men like Daniel, Shadrach, Meeshach, and Abednigo to share the truth of God. By God's grace, some believed including the Great King Nebuchadnezzar!

Nations continue to rise and fall as they turn to or run from the True God. Historically there are no exceptions.

The answer for all nations from the beginning is the Redeemer. He is strong. Stronger than the strongest. He is the LORD of hosts and He will plead the cause of the meek and lowly in heart and give rest to their souls.

Job in agony of body and spirit cried out, [25] For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. - Job 19:25 ESV

The last Man standing will be the Redeemer. It is He whom my trust is in. My prayer is the same for our nation.

God is Fair

by Diana Durrill

Fear not Be not dismayed

You will have Quiet and Ease

Fear not I am with you

These are all words that bring comfort.  They communicate care.  They calm fears.  You can hear these words in the loving, gentle voice of a mother as she consoles her child after a nightmare or in the calming voice of a father as he teaches his little one to ride a bike.  These words might be heard as a friend provides company for another during chemo treatments, or from the mouth of a surgical nurse as she holds your hand in the operating room. 

And at various times and in various ways, we each have had these spoken into our lives by the Holy Spirit of God.  They breathe indescribable, incomparable peace into the depths of our hearts.

But what about these words?

I will discipline you in just measure, 

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

Cold, chilling words.  Surely you remember the stern warnings as mom and dad left you home, tending to your brothers and sisters.  You remember hearing the teacher or principal of your school caution students to follow the rules, or else.  All of us have felt the adrenaline rush that comes when we realize the car behind us just turned on his flashing lights.

But don't miss the important four letter word in this passage:  Just. 
God promises to discipline us in just measure.  He is fair.  He is balanced.  Unlike mankind, He will not over punish nor will He under-discipline.  God knows exactly what the people of Israel needed as they head straight into captivity.  And yet, all the while, He promises to be with them so they don't have to fear.  He knows their end from their beginning and though He brings discipline into their lives at this time, His promises and plans for their future remain established and full of hope.

The good news is this:  The just God of Israel is still the God of today.  He will discipline us in loving, just measure.  He will be balanced and fair.  But He will remain with us, ridding us of fear, bringing quiet into our noisy souls, and keeping us full of hope as we look to our established end.

Hab. 1-3

by Paul Ice

After reading today’s reading (Habakkuk 1:3) I was reminded of Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I want to cheer when I read verse like the one below describing God and how he defends his people.

You went out for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
(Habakkuk 3:13 ESV)

But in chapter 1,2,  he asks questions of God that are very similar to the ones we often ask.

After reading his "complaints" against God, and after reading much of Jeremiah I am reminded that our God is complex and at times can be difficult to comprehend. His ways are not our ways and with our limited human perspectives, we sometimes struggle to understand what He is doing in the world and in our lives. The book of Jeremiah paints God as a God of judgment, bringing disaster on His own people for their sin and rebellion against Him. He uses pagan nations to destroy them and taken them into captivity. He allows His own Temple to be destroyed in the process and the Land of Promise to be decimated. The nations who bring about this destruction are actually referred to as God’s instruments. He uses them to bring about His will – to discipline the nations of Israel and Judah. But then God turns around and threatens to bring destruction on these very same nations for having taken advantage of His people. He predicts that their day of destruction is coming because of what they did to Israel and Judah. He will destroy them. The same God who used them will now abuse them. That’s hard for us to understand. But we have to constantly remind ourselves that God is holy, righteous, and just. He always does what is right. His actions are never wrong or out of step with His holy character – even though they may appear to be to us.

God is working His redemptive plan.  One day he will make all things new, and make all things complete.  Until then, we trust in His plan.

I will remember

by Adam Johnson

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." Psalm 77:11

The Psalmist was filled with doubt towards the promises of God. He was in a place where his troubles had greatly increased, and he did not feel God's presence. However, as he wondered at the predicaments he faced, and made up his mind to simply remember and think upon all the things God had accomplished. 

We face trials of some sort every day in our lives. Sometimes the trials are so great we question whether God really cares about what we are going through. The doubt gives way to fear, and we make decisions based on what we can accomplish without Him. The remedy to avoiding greater conflict and disaster in our lives is to think upon things "that are true." Jesus prayed to the Father to sanctify us through His truth. That is the only way to escape the traps that the world, the flesh, and the devil set for us regularly.

The Psalmist set his mind to remember all the things God had done for him and his people over time (truth). When we think that God is too distant from our problems then we are set up for disaster, but we always have the ability to change our thinking to remember all that God has done and is doing in our lives.

Jeremiah 35-37 Vulnerable

by Jill Ice

The people of Judah had problems. We can see it so clearly now – the ongoing cycle of sin/disobedience – problems/consequences – repentance – restoration/peace. In Jeremiah 35-37, the people were stuck in the sin/disobedience/problems part of the cycle, and they didn’t care.

Jeremiah’s call to repentance was not popular. Even King Jehoiakim didn’t want to hear it. He went as far as burning the scroll (which contained the Word of God) in the fire as it was read to him.

Not a good idea. But who are we to judge? Haven’t we all been stuck in the cycle?

As we look back on our lives, I'm sure we can all see the same pattern of sin and repentance. How does this happen?

Deception. Later in this passage, God says “Do not deceive yourselves” (Jeremiah 37:9). We are led into deception when we turn away from the Spirit. We fall out of fellowship with God and are led to a new path, just slightly off the path God has for us.

We need to guard our hearts. Engage in the battle daily. Fight to stay on course. Take up the armor of God and rely on the power of His Son.

These stark images in the book of Jeremiah serve to remind us of our own vulnerability of falling away from the place of perfect peace.

Investing in a Promise - Jeremiah 32-34

by Diana Durrill

Jeremiah is in prison.  King Zedekiah has placed him there under charges of treason for preaching against the nation and the king.  Zedekiah preferred only positive talk in order that it might encourage the people to hold out hope that they could outlast the Babylonians.  Jeremiah's message (from the Lord) was one of destruction and captivity due to the rebellion and disobedience against the Lord their God.

In the middle of this setting -- Jeremiah in prison with Israel's imminent destruction and exile being undeniable -- God tells Jeremiah to purchase some land.  This land, useless and of no value under the current circumstances, was an investment into the future.  Jeremiah's obedience to the Lord in this (seemingly) ridiculous transaction was an act of faith.  The Lord was making the point that the nation of Israel would eventually be restored, sins would be forgiven, and this land would again become useful and productive, with homes, fields, and buildings...inhabited in joy and laughter.

In other words, even though there were great consequences for turning their back on the Lord, for living in rebellion and worshipping other gods, even though Israel deserved these consequences and judgment for their sin, God is a God of truth, and mercy, and love.

In short, God Keeps His Promises.

Jeremiah 30-31

By Mike Durrill

[12] "For thus says the LORD: Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous. [13] There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you... 

Hopeless.

When a mechanic says there is nothing that can be done for your car, you go to another mechanic. When you are looking for answers from people and find none...you keep searching. When a doctor in town says your disease is not curable you certainly seek other opinions. Right?

However, when God says you are incurable...where do you turn? There are no other Gods. Sorrow. Grief. Hurt. Anguish. Pain. Desolation. Hopeless. These are words that describe people who cannot be cured from their sin disease. This was me. This was you.

[8] But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8 ESV


[4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV


In Jeremiah 30-31 we find a message of hope for the nation of Israel and for all those whose God is this God.

God is rich in mercy! Overflowing with forgiveness! Wondrous in His plan of redemption for mankind!

[17] For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: 'It is Zion, for whom no one cares!' - Jeremiah 30:12-13, 17 ESV

Jer. 23-25

by Paul Ice

D.A. Carson just wrote an article about Jer 23 last month for the Gospel Coalition.  Here are just a couple of excerpts that I thought were really good regarding this passage.

“MUCH OF JEREMIAH 23 IS A denunciation of the “shepherds” destroying and scattering the sheep of God’s pasture (Jer. 23:1; compare Jer. 10 and meditation for July 14). The long section denouncing the lying prophets (Jer. 23:9-40) is one of the most penetrating presentations of the differences between true prophets and false in all of holy Scripture. . . .

But here I want to focus on the first six verses. In the light of the abysmally immoral and idolatrous kings condemned in the previous chapter, and in the light of the destructive shepherds introduced in this chapter, God presents the ultimate solution. It has three components:

(1) God will destroy the destructive shepherds (Jer. 23:2). That is a theme we have seen before, and one that takes up a fair bit of this chapter.

(2) More importantly, God himself will gather the remnant of the flock from where they have been scattered, and he will bring them back to their pasture. “I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing” (Jer. 23:4), the Lord declares. In other words, the promise of an end to the exile and a return of the remnant is now cast in the categories of a scattered flock being returned to its pasture. But there is also an element of expectation that transcends the historical end of the exile: the Lord himself will provide a quality of “pastors” (i.e., “shepherds”) who will transcend what the people have experienced in the past.

(3) In particular, God “will raise up to David a righteous Branch” (Jer. 23:5). The Davidic line will be little more than a stump, but a new “Branch” will grow out of it, “a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land” (Jer. 23:5). His days will bring safety and salvation for the covenant people of God. “This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:6). Just so: for by him, God will be both just and the One who justifies the ungodly, vindicating them by the life and death of the Branch from David’s line (Rom. 3:20-26).

Jeremiah 18-22

by Adam Johnson


And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the LORD came to me:  "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."   -Jeremiah 18:4-6


God in His love and mercy declares to unfaithful Israel that He can remake and mold any vessel for His glory and their peace. How many second chances does anyone get? They get as many opportunities as necessary to be found pleasing in God's sight. What difficult task did the Lord set before Israel? Their task was simply to follow the Law and the Prophets until the time that the Messiah came. However, they instead chose to follow what everyone else did around them by sacrificing their children and offerings to false gods. God gave them opportunity to repent and change their evil ways or else He would bring circumstances that forced them to recognize that He was in control.

Our goal today is not to follow the Law and Prophets exclusively like the children of Israel, but those who have put their faith in Christ alone for salvation are to keep His commandments. "If you love me keep my commandments." It is not something we do to earn favor with God, but it is something we strive to do to please the One who called us out of darkness to His marvelous light. He gives us opportunities to continue to obey and show Him our love. He chastens us out of love so that we will come back to Him continually until the time we meet Him. 

Often people think God is callous and unfeeling about our circumstances, but it is not always just to chasten us for ignoring sin in our lives. The place we want to be is soft to His Word so that He can direct and bless us in our daily walk with Him. We never want to be directed simply by circumstances, but recognize they are placed there by Him so that we can know God in all aspects of our lives.

Jeremiah 10-13 He Utters His Voice

by Jill Ice

¹² It is he who made the earth by his power,
     who established the world by his wisdom,
    and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
¹³ When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
     and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
     and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

¹⁴ Every man is stupid and without knowledge;
     every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols,
for his images are false,
     and there is no breath in them.
¹⁵ They are worthless, a work of delusion;
    at the time of their punishment they shall perish.

Jeremiah 10:12-15

I love the contrast of the greatness of God in verses 12 and 13 with the futility of idol worship in verses 14 and 15.

Let us consider what is written about God:

• Made the earth
• Established the world
• Stretched out the heavens
• Causes a tumult of waters when he utters his voice
• Makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth
• Makes lightning for the rain
• Brings forth the wind from his storehouses

And the idols:

• False
• No breath in them
• Worthless
• A work of delusion
• Shall perish

Even the limited list of what God does and has done is far greater than any idol devised by man.

But the Lord is the true God;
     he is the living God and the everlasting King.

Jeremiah 10:10

The Giver of All Good Things

by Diana Durrill 

"Do you not fear me?  declares the LORD.
Do you not tremble before me?
I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea,
A perpetual barrier that it cannot pass;
Though the waves toss, they cannot prevail;
Though they roar, they cannot pass over it.
But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
They have turned aside and gone away.
They do not say in their hearts,
'Let us fear the LORD our God,
Who gives rain in its season,
The autumn rain and the spring rain,
And keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.'
Your iniquities have turned these away,
And your sins have kept good from you." - Jeremiah 5:22-25

The waves on the seashore; the sand which holds the ocean back; rain that pours on dry, thirsty land; the fruit that ripens perfectly in its season  - all things we take for granted until they aren't there any longer.

I remember watching the sea come crashing inland in Japan last year.  Vehicles, buildings, power lines...all crowding into places they don't belong.  Utter destruction devastated the people and places of Japan.

This summer,  Colorado has experienced first hand the struggle that comes when the water supply is insufficient.  Lightening without rain has caused millions of dollars in damage to our beautiful state and heartache for our neighbors.

In this passage we see that God's acts in nature are reminders of His presence and grace in our lives.  In verse 25, He reminds Israel that He can and will take these unappreciated gifts away when they rebelliously and stubbornly turn away from Him.  Perhaps as a reminder of their need for Him?  Their need for His goodness and grace in their lives?  Their need for dependence on Him for all of life's gifts?

Let's remember to thank the Lord for all He has bestowed on us.  Our families, our homes, our church, our food, our friendships, our health, and yes...even the weather.  In this dry, hot summer take time to remember the Giver of all good things.

Fear Him, live for Him, and thank Him.

Israel’s Joy and Restoration

by Paul Ice

Israel’s Joy and Restoration

As I read this I reflected on the audience it was written to.  How exciting it must have been to read this or hear it proclaimed.  It makes me want to shout also.

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;

                        shout, O Israel!

            Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

                        O daughter of Jerusalem!

            The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;

                        he has cleared away your enemies.

            The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;

                        you shall never again fear evil.

(Zephaniah 3:14-15 ESV)

He knows those who take refuge in Him

by Rebekah Johnson

"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;" 

"The LORD is slow to anger and great in power...His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

"The mountains quake before him;"

"Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger?"

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.


"About a hundred years before, at Jonah's preaching, the Ninevites repented, and were spared, yet, soon after, they became worse than ever. Nineveh knows not that God who contends with her, but is told what a God he is. It is good for all to mix faith with what is here said concerning Him, which speaks great terror to the wicked, and comfort to believers. Let each take his portion from it: let sinners read it and tremble; and let saints read it and triumph. The anger of the Lord is contrasted with his goodness to his people. Perhaps they are obscure and little regarded in the world, but the Lord knows them. The Scripture character of Jehovah agrees not with the views of proud reasoners. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is slow to wrath and ready to forgive, but he will by no means acquit the wicked; and there is tribulation and anguish for every soul that doeth evil: but who duly regards the power of his wrath?"

- taken from Matthew Henry's Commentary

2 Chronicles 32-33 Truth

by Jill Ice

Speaking truth to ourselves. So important, yet often so hard to do. We let the voices of the world and other people speak louder than the Voice of truth.

Read what the people of Judah heard from King Sennacherib of Assyria when he was about to invade their land:

¹⁰ “Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, ‘On what are you trusting, that you endure the siege in Jerusalem? ¹¹ Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst, when he tells you, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”? ¹²  Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, “Before one altar you shall worship, and on it you shall burn your sacrifices”?¹³ Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands at all able to deliver their lands out of my hand? ¹⁴ Who among all the gods of those nations that my fathers devoted to destruction was able to deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? ¹⁵ Now, therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you in this fashion, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!’” -2 Chronicles 32:10-15

Total in-your-head, psyche-you-out mind games going on here. The speech from Sennacherib escalates until it culminates with this throwdown – “no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!”

Have you heard variations of this accusation? Maybe nobody has actually said it to you, but Satan may have hurled this missive at you – “How is God possibly going to deliver you out of __________(insert seemingly hopeless situation)?”

Wrong. It is just plain wrong thinking.

King Hezekiah of Judah spoke truth to the people of Judah, even before Sennacherib arrived on the scene with his taunting. Here is truth, spoken by Hezekiah:

⁷ “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. ⁸ With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Truth! How can we discern truth amidst all the voices and noise that bombard us daily? By being drenched with the Spirit. Immersed in the Word. Knowing God so well that we recognize His voice above all others.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth.

Ephesians 6:14

Matthew Henry's thoughts on Hezekiah's illness and recovery.

Matthew Henry was a minister of the Gospel in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His written works have been used continually since. Here are some thoughts from him regarding Hezekiah's sickness and how it relates to believers in Christ and "premature" illness.

Here is Hezekiah’s sickness. In those days, that is, in the same year in which the king of Assyria besieged Jerusalem; for he reigningreigned? in all twenty-nine years, and surviving this fifteen years, this must be in his fourteenth year, and so was that, ch. 18:13. Some think it was at the time that the Assyrian army was besieging the city or preparing for it, because God promises (v. 6): I will defend the city,which promise was afterwards repeated, when the danger came to be most imminent, ch. 19:34. Others think it was soon after the defeat of Sennacherib; and then it shows us the uncertainty of all our comforts in this world. Hezekiah, in the midst of his triumphs in the favour of God, and over the forces of his enemies, is seized with sickness, and under the arrest of death. We must therefore always rejoice with trembling. It should seem he was sick of the plague, for we read of the boil or plague-sore, v. 7. The same disease which was killing to the Assyrians was trying to him; God took it from him, and put it upon his enemies. Neither greatness nor goodness can exempt us from sickness, from sore and mortal sicknesses. Hezekiah, lately favoured of heaven above most men, yet is sick unto death—in the midst of his days (under forty) and yet sick and dying; and perhaps he was the more apprehensive of its being fatal to him because his father died when he was about his age, two or three years younger. "In the midst of life we are in death.’’

II. Warning brought him to prepare for death. It is brought by Isaiah, who had been twice, as stated in the former chapter, a messenger of good tidings to him. We cannot expect to receive from God’s prophets any other than what they have received from the Lord, and we must welcome that, be it pleasing or unpleasing. The prophet tells him, 1. That his disease is mortal, and, if he be not recovered by a miracle of mercy, will certainly be fatal: Thou shalt die, and not live. 2. That therefore he must, with all speed, get ready for death: Set thy house inorder. This we should feel highly concerned to do when we are in health, but are most loudly called to do when we come to be sick. Set the heart in order by renewed acts of repentance, and faith, and resignation to God, with cheerful farewells to this world and welcomes to another; and, if not done before (which is the best and wisest course), set the house in order, make thy will, settle thy estate, put thy affairs in the best posture thou canst, for the ease of those that shall come after thee. Isaiah speaks not to Hezekiah of his kingdom,only of his house. David, being a prophet, had authority to appoint who should reign after him, but other kings did not pretend to bequeath their crowns as part of their goods and chattels.

III. His prayer hereupon: He prayed unto the Lord, v. 2. Is any sick? Let him be prayed for, let him be prayed with, and let him pray. Hezekiah had found, as recorded in the foregoing chapter, that it was not in vain to wait upon God, but that the prayers of faith bring in answers of peace; therefore will he call upon God as long as he lives. Happy experiences of the prevalency of prayer are engagements and encouragements to continue instant in prayer. He had now received the sentence of death within himself, and, if it was reversible, it must be reversed by prayer. When God purposes mercy he will, for this, be enquired of, Eze. 36:37. We have not if we ask not, or ask amiss. If the sentence was irreversible, yet prayer is one of the best preparations for death, because by it we fetch in strength and grace from God to enable us to finish well.

Wait? Huh? How long? For real?

By Pastor Durrill


[4] From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. - Isaiah 64:4 ESV

Wait. 

When I think of this word it brings many thoughts to mind, especially the times I have used that word when speaking to one of my children! When impatience is seen aren't we so quick to sharply respond with the phrase, "I said, Wait!" What we mean by the sharp "Wait" is, stop interrupting! Stop bugging me! Be patient! Go away so I can think! :)

God uses this word many, many times throughout Scripture and yet not with the harsh frustration we can be guilty of.

Here are a few just from the psalms:



[3] Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. ... [5] Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. ... [21] May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. - Psalm 25:3, 5, 21 ESV


[14] Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! - Psalm 27:14 ESV


[24] Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! - Psalm 31:24 ESV


[7] Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! ... [9] For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. ... [34] Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. - Psalm 37:7, 9, 34 ESV


[15] But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. - Psalm 38:15 ESV


[7] "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. - Psalm 39:7 ESV


[9] I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. - Psalm 52:9 ESV


[5] I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; - Psalm 130:5 ESV


We can wait with eager expectation on God because of His Name, His Word, and His Works. God will always act in accordance with these three. As we read His Word we gain knowledge that indeed gives us the ability to patiently wait -

On Him. For Him. Because of Him.

It will be worth the wait.