This Sunday we will begin a new section of Isaiah, as we look at chapter 36 and ask the question, “Who Are You Relying On?”  

Chapters 36-39 of Isaiah are a bridge between chapters 1-35 and 40-66.  They are different from any other part of the book.  Most of Isaiah is poetry…beautiful, powerful, gospel-drenched poetry.  Chapters 36-39 are prose.  They are a spine-tingling historical narrative about what happened when the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, attacked Judah and threatened Jerusalem with destruction.  They are about King Hezekiah’s response to this threat.  Will he trust in God?  

Let me encourage you to read chapters 36-39.  Read them closely.  They read like a suspense novel…a novel that takes many unexpected turns!  There is so much here to apply to our own lives.  Above all, God wants us to simply trust him.  

That means trusting him with the outcome of the upcoming election, as well.  While many people on both sides will “freak out” if their candidate loses, as Christians we are to trust in God’s sovereignty.  He is on the throne.  He is Lord.  And that means he is Lord of history, as well.  As Daniel reminds us, “The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Daniel 4:17).  “He removes kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:21).  That’s because he is the King of kings!  And be sure of this: He reigns!   

Trust in the King.  Rely on him.  Let’s talk about it this Sunday.  Read over Isaiah 36 in advance.  In fact, be reading over Isaiah 36-39 as a unit.  We’ll cover chapter 36 this Sunday, chapter 37 on the 8^th, and chapters 38-39 on the 15^th.   

Love you guys, and thank you so much for all the expressions of love during Pastor Appreciation.  God has blessed us with such a warm and loving fellowship.  It is a joy to be your Pastor!  

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,  

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.