Arise and Abide

Reading from Hosea chapter two followed by a brief discussion.

Reading Psalms 129 followed by a brief discussion and encouragement.

Reading Hosea 1:1-2:1 followed by a brief discussion and encouragement.

Reading Psalms 128 followed by a brief discussion and encouragement.

We continue in the Chronological Life Application Study Bible reading 2 Kings 15:30-31 and 17:1-4 followed by 2 Chronicles 29:1-2 and then 2 Kings 18:1-8.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Sally and Curtis explore Psalm 127, a Psalm of Solomon that reminds us that all our efforts are meaningless unless the Lord is the one building and protecting. They reflect on the difference between a lifeless house and a love-filled home, emphasizing that true value and blessing come only when God is at the center of our work, our provision, and our security. Drawing connections to Ecclesiastes and Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6, they discuss the futility of striving in our own strength, the peace that comes from trusting God, and the rest He gives to His beloved. The conversation also celebrates the gift of children as a tangible expression of God's life-giving work, pointing to the deeper truth that all creation flourishes when rooted in His presence. Through Scripture and personal insight, they invite listeners to seek God first, trusting Him to provide all they need.

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally explore 2 Kings 16:10-18 and 2 Chronicles 28:16-25, tracing the tragic reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Faced with military threats from Israel, Syria, Edom, and the Philistines, Ahaz turns not to the Lord but to Assyria for help—paying tribute with treasures from the Temple and even remodeling Judah's worship to imitate pagan practices. Instead of rescue, Assyria brings further oppression, and Ahaz sinks deeper into idolatry, closing the Temple and filling the land with altars to false gods.

Curtis and Sally reflect on how Ahaz's decisions reveal a familiar human pattern: seeking success by imitating worldly power, trusting in human alliances instead of God, and hardening the heart when things go wrong. They contrast this with the call of Christ's kingdom, where true greatness comes through servanthood and trust in the Lord. The conversation challenges listeners to examine where they place their hope, to repent when tempted to rely on their own understanding, and to remember that ultimate victory belongs to God alone.

In this episode, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 126, a song that captures the surreal joy of restoration after a long season of sorrow and waiting. Described as a dream fulfilled, this psalm celebrates God's faithfulness in bringing His people home, prompting laughter, singing, and praise—not only from His people but also from the watching world.

Curtis shares how moments of joy, like graduations or major life milestones, can feel almost unreal after long anticipation—reminding us of God's perfect timing. Sally highlights the beauty of how God's acts of restoration become testimonies of His goodness to the nations.

The hosts draw powerful connections between the psalm's imagery of planting in tears and harvesting with joy, and Jesus' words in John 4 about the spiritual harvest. Whether we're sowing seeds or gathering fruit, the work is God's—and both the process and the result can be filled with joy.

In this episode, Sally and Curtis explore Isaiah 17, a chapter filled with vivid imagery of desolation and judgment but also powerful glimpses of hope and restoration. As the prophecy unfolds against Damascus and Israel, we see once-flourishing cities reduced to ruins, fields stripped bare like after a harvest, and the consequences of turning away from God. Yet, in the midst of this devastation, a powerful shift occurs: the people finally lift their eyes to the Creator and abandon the idols of their own making.

Sally and Curtis reflect on what it means to return to the One who gives life—the Holy One of Israel. They discuss how idolatry drains life while God, the true Rock, offers protection, refuge, and renewal. Curtis highlights the comforting image of a God who doesn't just stand as a barrier but actively hides and shields His people from harm. They share how prayer and God's covering provide a kind of spiritual invisibility in the face of darkness.

As the episode concludes, listeners are reminded that no matter how overwhelming the opposition or how far we've wandered, nothing can thwart the Lord's redemptive plan. His justice is real, but so is His desire to restore. When we turn back to Him, we find not judgment alone—but a Rock who hides us.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 125 and the assurance it offers to those who trust in the Lord. Drawing from the imagery of Mount Zion and the mountains encircling Jerusalem, they explore how God surrounds His people with unshakable protection—both now and forever.

As they meditate on the psalmist's words, the hosts share personal reflections on the beauty and symbolism of mountain landscapes and how that physical imagery evokes God's spiritual guardianship. Curtis underscores the importance of trusting God not just as a distant protector, but as the One who dwells within us, transforming our hearts from the inside out. Sally ties in prophetic visions from Zechariah and Jeremiah to illustrate how God's presence creates a protective "wall of fire" and a fruitful, enduring life for those rooted in Him.

The conversation also considers the human tendency to sort people into "good" or "bad," contrasted with God's gracious invitation for all to turn from their ways and be made righteous through Him. With themes of trust, transformation, and spiritual alignment, this episode invites listeners to surrender more deeply and live with confidence in the faithful love of God.