Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Isaiah 37:14-16

By

Isaiah 37:14-16     "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.  (15)  And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,  (16)  O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth."

There is a principle that is taught in these verses that apply to us today. We saw yesterday that Hezekiah took his burden to the Lord and spread it out before God. He began to pray with a fervency. Aren't you thankful that we have an open access to the very throne of grace? Isn't it wonderful that the Lord has told us that He cares for us and we are to humble ourselves before Him, casting all our cares upon Him? (1 Peter 5:6-7) Aren't you thankful that we can go boldly in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to that throne and there find mercy and grace to help in time of need? (Hebrews 4:16) Hezekiah understood this and did not hesitate to take all of this struggle to the Lord. He also understood another principle in part. He addressed the Lord as the "LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims." Why would he use this terminology? Hezekiah understood that it was between the cherubims that the high priest would enter each year to sprinkle the blood of atonement. He was pleading the blood of the slain lamb as he approached the Lord.

As you read the remaining portion of the chapter, you see Hezekiah acknowledging that Rabshakeh had spoken the truth in that the gods of the other lands could not deliver those people. But those gods ",,, were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them." Hezekiah was not approaching the Lord because of his goodness, even though he had restored true worship in the land. He was not approaching the Lord based on anything about the nation of Israel or Judah. He was not approaching the Lord based on anything that had happened in the past. No, he approached the Lord because of the shed blood and in need of God's mercy and grace. His purpose for this prayer is found in verse 20:  " Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only."   His only desire for deliverance was that others would know the God, he served, is the true and living God. We have open access unto the throne of grace, not because of our own goodness; rather, through the shed blood of THE Lamb of God, Jesus Christ the Lord. He is the door that is opened in heaven for us, by faith, to enter the presence of God.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

By
One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Colossians 1:25-26

By
Colossians 1:25-26    “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  Even   the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” In verse twenty-four, Paul has expressed his joy in bearing hardship for the church. It is of this church, the body of Jesus Christ, that he is made a minister. Since Paul used the phrase “made a minister” in verse twenty-three of this same chapter, it seems there is something important that he wishes to convey. The Greek word translated as “made” means “to cause to be.” It was the will of God (Col 1:1) that caused Paul to become a minister. God is always the cause of true ministry. Although our fathers may be ministers, if we become true ministers of the gospel it is  not  because our fathers are ministers. True ministers of the gospel do not take that path because they seek honor for themselves, or b...
Read more

Daily Devotion: The Peace Of Christ - John 14:27

By
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27 As I sit and enjoy the Lord's creation and I feel the cool breeze blow across my skin, I am reminded of the peace that we find when we stop to appreciate the works of God. While we cannot necessarily count on another tomorrow in this world, all of God’s children have the assurance of something purer, something brighter, in the world to come. This brings peace when everything seems chaotic and difficult here and now. Jesus Christ was and remains a complex Person. Not only do we have to wrestle with His dual nature, we must face the depth of His teachings. Many of the Lord’s teachings are easy to grasp even if they are hard to apply. (Have you tried loving your enemies lately?) However, some of the Messiah’s sayings make us think very hard indeed. Isaiah 9:6 famously reveals that the virgin born Son of God would be the Prin...
Read more