Saturday, January 4, 2014

Day 187 - A Blazing Fire

Daily Reading:  2 Kings 18, 19


2 Kings 19:1-7 Footnote:  

Sennacherib, whose armies had captured all the fortified cities of Judah, sent a message to Hezekiah to surrender.  Realizing the situation was hopeless, Hezekiah went to the temple and prayed.  God answered Hezekiah's prayer and delivered Judah by sending an army to attack the Assyrian camp, forcing Sennacherib to leave at once.  Prayer should be our first response in any crisis.  Don't wait until things are hopeless.  Pray daily for his guidance.  Our problems are God's opportunities.

19:2 Footnote:  

Isaiah the prophet had been working for God since the days of Uzziah -- 40 years.  Although Assyria was a world power, it could not conquer Judah as long as Isaiah counseled the kings.  Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.  Ahaz ignored Isaiah, but Hezekiah listened to his advice.   To read his prophecies, see the book of Isaiah.
We will be reading Isaiah next!

For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. 
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  19:31

Footnote:  

As long as a tiny spark remains, a fire can be rekindled and fanned into a roaring blaze.  Similarly, if just the smallest remnant of true believers retains the spark of faith, God can rebuild it into a strong nation.  And if only a glimmer of faith remains in a heart, God can use it to restore blazing faith in that believer.  If you feel that only a spark of faith remains in you, ask God to use it to rekindle a blazing fire of commitment to him.

Keep reading -- 178 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

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