Day 195 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 33–35
5 essential steps to help awaken and mature us spiritually
When we were teenagers, many of us were rebellious, wayward, or know-it-alls. We would not listen, sought our own solutions, and often suffered for it. Now we are adults and realize mom and dad were more intelligent than we knew. What happened? We matured. We are genuinely sorry for our arrogance and how we have treated others. We are more respectful. We have gotten our act together and are now living responsible lives. If you or someone you know still struggles in this area, here are 5 essential steps to help awaken and mature us spiritually.
Step 1: Wake up! Acknowledge your sin and failures before you destroy yourself
The northern kingdom of Israel went through rebellion but failed to acknowledge her sin. She became more wicked than all the other nations. Her country was destroyed, and her people taken into captivity in Assyria.
Her sister nation, Judah, is now following in her tracks. She is in danger of destroying herself and suffering the same fate. Will she wake up in time and realize her foolishness?
Step 2: See the Danger
Assyria is a mighty nation. She is God’s strong arm against Israel and other sinful countries in and around Canaan. Under the LORD’s sovereign will, she attacks them with the ferociousness of a lion. The nation of Judah is afraid. She sees the neighboring countries quickly ripped apart and destroyed by Assyria. Judah hoped Babylon could overpower her, but Assyria put down that rebellion. Assyria is now moving south. Besides Israel, she has already conquered other neighboring nations and most of the fortified cities of Judah. Jerusalem is the only prominent city left.
Step 3: Don’t forget God
When Hezekiah becomes sole-regent after his father’s death, he leads the nation of Judah in revival. After many years pass, however, Judah forgets God’s benefits. The people worship the LORD in pretense and with a rebellious heart.
King Hezekiah himself leads the nation away from faith in God. As we saw in our last lesson, he appeals to Egypt for help instead of God. For this, Hezekiah gets a boil that would have killed him, except for God’s grace. Hezekiah benefits from the sickness because he realizes his sin and confesses it to God.
Step 4: Own and confess all sin, and seek God’s help
Just before Assyria attacks Jerusalem, Hezekiah matures and realizes he and all the unfaithful people of Judah need forgiveness for their sin and God’s help. Isaiah, the prophet, offers this prayer on behalf of Judah. It indicates her repentance.
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
“The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:2,5-6, NIV).
As Judah realizes she needs help, she fears the LORD, turns to him from her sins, and asks for his assistance. God responds, “‘Now will I arise,’ says the LORD. ‘Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up’” (Isaiah 33:10a, NIV). Now God will help Jerusalem. He says, through Isaiah, “you will see those arrogant people no more [The Assyrians], those people of an obscure speech, with their strange, incomprehensible tongue (Isaiah 33:19, NIV).
Have we matured enough to know when we need help? Will we turn to the LORD from our sins, revere him, and ask for his aid? God will release his power to help us when we rely upon him.
In the coming days, after the Great Tribulation period, Israel will be forever saved. One day, when Christ comes back to rule and reign, he will take vengeance on all of Israel’s enemies and bring a long-awaited peace to her land.
Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. There the LORD will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams.... For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us” (Isaiah 33:20-22, NIV).
In those days, never again will Israel’s reunited nation be rebellious. Never again will they cease to listen to God’s Word or be blind to their own ways.
Step 5: Realize that God rewards those who mature and overcome life’s trials and testings
Like Israel, despite our rebellion, the LORD forgives, heals, and restores. We have the promise of forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life if we look to him for forgiveness (more...). Believers who mature and overcome will someday rule and reign with him over a beautifully renewed earth (Revelation 5:10; 20:6; 22:5). That will be a great day! Through him, we gain victory!
Endnote: The Great Tribulation is a seven-year period of great trouble that will come upon the world in the last days of the earth as we know it. It is an evil time and Satan will be very active. Then there will be famine, great wars in the heavens and on earth, plagues, and flaming rocks issuing from the heavens. All of these things and more will kill huge amounts of people. The purpose for the Great Tribulation is to sweep away evil before Jesus comes back to rule and reign (see the book of Revelation or go to the Bible studies, beginning on December 26).
Take-Away Lessons
- When we mature enough to see that God punishes evil, we know we can confess our sins in repentance and receive his help. God will release his power to help us when we rely upon him.
- Praise the LORD for leaders who see the need for revival and are courageous to lead people to repentance and reliance upon the LORD.
- God can bring peace to our families and us.
- Despite our rebellion, the LORD offers forgiveness, healing, and restoration (more...).
- Believers who mature and overcome have the promise that they will someday rule and reign with him.
- Through God, we gain victory.
Focus Verse
Hosea 6:1 (NIV) “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”
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Looking Ahead: Again the nation of Judah is threatened by Assyria. Hezekiah leads them into a Saving Prayer.
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