Daily Dose of Hope

August 7, 2026

Scripture: Genesis 3

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are almighty and all-powerful. You are God of all and yet you care for us. Thank you, Lord. Help us settle our scattered thoughts and be silent before you...Thank you, Jesus. Please guide us as we reflect on your Word today. Meet us in the midst of our reading and this devotional. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan. We started a new reading plan this week – a deep dive into Genesis and Exodus. Today's reading was Genesis 3.

Genesis 3 describes what we typically call the fall. God had designed a perfect world for Adam and Eve. That was the original design. They had food to eat. They wandered around talking to God. There was nothing bad, no sickness, no pain, no problems. Life was perfect. The only thing they couldn't do was decide for themselves the difference between right and wrong – that was God's job. And while the whole garden was theirs, there was one tree that was off limits. We could blame Adam and Eve's disobedience on the serpent – I mean, he was crafty. But it was really their fault. They knew the rules. They chose to go a different way. They rejected God. They failed to trust that he knew best.

God could have designed it so that Adam and Eve would have been forced to love him and follow his rules. But God wanted them, just like he wants us, to actually choose to love him. Think about what it would be like if you could force someone to love you – is that really love? No, of course not. And God wanted humans to have free choice and to freely choose to follow him. He wanted people to choose to reciprocate his love. Adam and Eve had a choice – they could choose God's path or their own. When they chose their own way, that is the fall, that is when sin entered the world.

And when sin entered the world with Adam, it became pervasive. If you compare sin to a disease, there became a pandemic of sin--- it was like Adam messed up and everyone after him did too; everyone after him became infected. It also certainly pointed out humanity's rebellious nature. This follows us everywhere. We will see it in the chapters to come, in all of the Bible, and we see it around the world today. Sin is everywhere and the consequences of sin are everywhere. And it gets in the way of our relationship with God.

There is only one answer to sin and that's Jesus. But more about that to come.

Let's now move into our going deeper discussion with Emmy Roberts...

Daily Dose of Hope

August 6, 2026

Scripture: Genesis 2

Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today rejoicing in your powerful name. Thank you for who you are and all you do. Thank you for loving us. Help us gather our scattered thoughts, help us set aside distractions, and truly focus on you right now. In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we want to hear your voice...In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan. We have just begun a new reading plan – a deep dive into Genesis and Exodus.

Yesterday, we talked about the first creation narrative in Genesis 1 and the concept of creation in general. Genesis 2 actually begins with the end of the first creation narrative. It says that on the seventh day, God rested after doing all the work of creation. It then reads, ... God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. I want to be clear here. God didn't rest because he was tired and needed a nap. God does not get tired, God never grows weary. God rested to create a model, or template, for us. We work for six days and on the seventh day, we rest. And then God reiterates this in the Ten Commandments, as the fourth commandment is to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

What is your experience with Sabbath? I'll be honest. Until a few years ago, I just didn't take it that seriously. I guess I treated it like a suggestion. If I needed to work, I worked. In ministry, you can literally work every day, all day long, if you so choose. There is always plenty to do. But then God got a hold of me. I was tired and drained, I knew something had to give. I was not keeping Sabbath.

What I learned is that Sabbath is a gift. It's a command but it's also a gift that God gives us. We are more than what we produce. Our identity is found in God, not in what we do. I had to learn to trust God to make sure that on my Sabbath, the rest of the world would not fall apart. That sounds silly, but I do think when we don't remember Sabbath, it's a lack of trust. But God can take care of it. He can take care of all of it. Okay, off the soapbox. Let's move on.

By verse 4 of chapter 2, we begin the second creation narrative. Notice the sequence of creation is very different than in chapter 1. Then, we are introduced to the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. Genesis 2 provides a picture of how humans are put in this perfect place, Eden, and given full access to their loving creator. God is seen as a craftsman, a gardener, and even a builder. Think about it, God created a perfect world for Adam and Eve, a world without greed, violence, pollution, or death. It was perfect: the people of God in the place of God dwelling in the presence of God. They had community with one another and lived with no shame. They could do anything they wanted except decide for themselves what is good and what is evil (that was Yahweh's responsibility) AND we know that didn't turn out so well (more on that tomorrow).

Just because creation narrative 1 and 2 are different, does not mean they conflict. In fact, they were intended to complement each other. They weren't placed side by side in Genesis by accident. Remember, the Bible is not a scientific text. It wasn't intended to provide dates, times, or geological evidence. It is theological – it teaches us about God and his relationship to us. In Genesis 1, we get the intro creation narrative. It really sets us the whole Bible. Then, in Genesis 2, we learn about Adam and Eve placed in Eden. We get a picture of God's desire for humans to be in community. We also get a picture for God's perfect design for his world. He never intended the world to be broken and sinful – that happens because of our rebelliousness.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

August 5, 2026

Scripture: Genesis 1

Prayer: Holy God, We come before you with humility and expectation as we start a new reading plan, going deep into Genesis and Exodus. Thank you for the opportunity to read your Word and hear your voice. We want to hear from you today.

Thank you for another day, another chance to be a change agent in our world, your world. Guide us, Lord. Guide our words, actions, and thoughts. We want to be more like you. Help us see others as you see them. We love you. Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan. Today, we begin a new reading plan – a deep dive into Genesis and Exodus. So, we get to go back to the very beginning, really the very beginning of all time – Genesis 1.

In Genesis 1, we read about God creating the world and everything in it in six days and resting on the seventh day (the rest portion is actually in Genesis 2). God declares everything he made good and the humans were very good. The human beings were actually made in God's image. The Scripture is very clear on this. To be made in God's image is to be made to reflect God's character and values. And because we are made in his image, this means we have inherent worth. All human beings, every single person, has value and worth because they are made in the image of the Almighty God.

This text gives a beautiful over-arching picture of creation, emphasizing the transcendence of God, and it provides the introduction for the rest of the book of Genesis and the Bible as a whole. As we move into Genesis 2 tomorrow, you will see that there really are two different creation accounts. The purpose of each creation story is different but I believe they actually complement one another. We will get into that a bit more tomorrow.

What I really want to focus on today is the concept of creation itself because it sets the scene for the whole Biblical narrative. Just for some context, the Bible wasn't intended to be a science textbook. The author of Genesis wasn't concerned with chronological or geological details. The right question for us to ask is not HOW exactly did creation occur. The author wasn't trying to give us a good answer about dinosaurs or young earth or old earth. Rather, this was about explaining the truth about who God is and what God expects of his people. The question is not HOW but WHO and WHY.

It was Yahweh, GOD, who created. That is clear from the very beginning. God created the heavens and the earth and then everything on the earth. But why?

And this is a hugely important question. Let's start here: God didn't "need" creation. He didn't need us; he wasn't lonely. He didn't create us because he needed a friend. Maybe that sounds silly but it is critical. The Biblical picture we have of God is that he is complete and sufficient and flawless, and without any defect or deficiency. That means, before creation and apart from creation, God was completely and flawlessly God. Remember, he said I AM who I AM. And the doctrine of the Trinity, which we tend to struggle with, it helps explain God's self-sufficiency. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There was already fellowship there. Because the Trinity implies in the relationships between the Father and the Son and the Spirit is that God is love and has always been love. 1 John 4:16 emphasizes that , "God is love." Before there was even a world to love, God was love.

Okay – then why did God create? Colossians 1:16 reads, For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Through him and for him.

I think this is kind of a simplistic analogy but it helps me understand this concept. Often, when we get married, we have a desire to have children. I think about Richard and myself. We knew from the beginning that we wanted to try to have a family. Why? Because it was an expression of our love. Putting our labor and emotions into our family was about love. We didn't have to have children, we didn't necessarily need children, but we truly wanted to have them. We chose to have them. Creation was an expression of God's amazing love too. Even though God does not need us, He wanted us. Just like we are still kind of obsessed with our kids' lives because we love them so dearly, God is still intensely interested in our lives. He deeply and tenderly loves us beyond comprehension—not because He has to (out of need), but because He chooses to (out of love). "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). God rejoices in us!

Creation was also an expression of God's glory. "Glory" describes all the things God is full of—it includes his love but it is also his wisdom, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion—all the things that make him weighty and wonderful, made manifest for us to see and experience.

Throughout the Bible, we see Scripture telling us that God created to demonstrate his glory. Psalm 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Why is it that we see a beautiful sunset and we are in awe? Or we look at snow-capped mountains and their majesty and we just feel the presence of God in our midst? Or we experience childbirth and we marvel at how it all worked out so beautifully and perfectly and we say, wow – this didn't happen by chance. This was not an accident. Because all of creation – from gorgeous mountains to stars to a beautiful butterfly to the birth of a baby to scientific principles like gravity --- they all declare God's glory, his wisdom, his beauty, and his love, for this world. When have your experienced God's glory in creation?

We'll stop there for today. Looking forward to tomorrow!

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

August 4, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 25

Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today distracted and with scattered thoughts. Help us focus, Lord, on you and your Word. Help us, in the next few moments, to be silent, still, and remember that you are God...Thank you, Lord, for your care and concern for our lives. Thank you for how you show up in amazing and unexpected ways! We give you glory, Lord Jesus. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan. Today, we are finishing up the book of 2 Kings. I think by this time, most of us know that the ending is not going to be a happy one – necessary yes but happy no. Just a reminder, tomorrow we will be beginning our deep dive into Genesis and Exodus and we will start at the very, very beginning, Genesis 1. Hope you will join us.

Today's reading is 2 Kings 25. It appears the end has come. The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, came and surrounded Jerusalem. That meant no food could come in and after several months, the people were starving. Eventually, the Judean army broke through the wall and fled. But it was pointless. The Babylonians caught up with them. King Zedekiah was arrested. His sons were killed in front of him and his eyes were gouged out. Not very pretty.

The remaining treasures were taken apart and carried off to Babylon and then the Temple, the palace, and the homes were all burned. Only the poorest of the poor remained. Jerusalem was now a sad shell of itself, just as God told them it would be.

So what can we learn from this?

1. Sin has consequences. That seems to be the most prominent theme.

2. Human kings have nothing on God. Human kingship and wealth will only get you so far. God is in control over everyone and everything.

3. So many people start well and end poorly. We see this throughout the Bible. How will we ensure that we end well?

4. God's purpose will always prevail. And that brings me great peace, because I know that God is totally loving, just, and filled with truth and grace. We can trust Him and his purposes.

5. Be thankful for Jesus. We live on the other side of the cross. We have been offered forgiveness and mercy even though we don't deserve it. Thank you, Jesus.

Join us for Genesis 1 tomorrow.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

August 3, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 24

Prayer: Lord Jesus, How thankful I am that we live on the other side of the cross and that your grace is incredibly abundant. And yet, I know that you still allow me to experience the consequences of my behavior; there is still accountability. Lord, help me grow to reflect you more and to gradually live a life characterized by your holiness rather than my own inclination to sin. More of you, less of me. Amen

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope church daily Bible reading plan. We are almost done with 2 Kings after a summer of learning about the divided kingdom, the various kings, and the exile. Starting Wednesday, we will be deep diving into Genesis and Exodus. Hope you will stay with us for that. Emmy Roberts has agreed to keep up our Friday going deeper discussion. I've loved my chats with her and I hope you do too.

For hundreds and hundreds of years, God warned his people: Obey the covenant, do not worship other gods, do not neglect the poor. And with just a few exceptions, the people disobeyed. There were judges and prophets sent to warn the people. In fact, there was no shortage of warnings. Yet, the people continued to turn away from God, to be influenced by the culture around them, and to follow the ways of the pagans.

In today's Scripture, 2 Kings 24, we see God lifting his hand of protection. His people have not held up their end of the covenant and he is finally allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions. It's hard to read and yet, we know it had to happen for the next stage of the journey to occur.

Let's talk a little bit about the invasion. When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, King Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. To be a vassal meant that Judah was subject to Babylon and under its control. For some context, Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem because the Pharaoh of Egypt invaded Babylon. In response, Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptians and then he pursued their fleeing army all the way down to the Sinai (that's why in verse 7 it mentions that the Egyptian ruler does not come out of his country again – he's been thoroughly defeated). On the way back, Babylon conquers Jerusalem, who had been loyal to the Egyptian Pharoah. There will be two more invasions. In fact, the siege on Jerusalem takes about one year.

King Jehoiachin follows Jehoiakim and not surprisingly, he is also evil. He actually surrenders to Nebuchadnezzar, hoping to appease him in some way. But that doesn't happen. King Jehoiachin is taken captive and sent back to Babylon, as are thousands of Jerusalem's best and brightest. All the wealthy and skilled people are exiled into Babylon and the treasures found in the Temple are carried off as well. Jerusalem is impoverished of resources and skill. Among the captives was the prophet Ezekiel, who wrote his book of while in captivity in Babylon.

Since Nebuchadnezzar has now completely humbled Judah, he puts a king on the throne whom he was pretty sure would submit to Babylon. He chose the uncle of Jehoiachin, and called him Zedekiah. Shocking, he also did evil in the eyes of the Lord. By this point, God is done. The Scripture says he finally cast them out from His presence.

The final line of the chapter says that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. I think we learn more about that tomorrow, in the final chapter.

And once again, we learn that sin has consequences. God has a tolerance for just so much, and then he is done. And he is sovereign so he can and will do anything among the nations to make his plan unfold. We see this here. Now I don't know about you, but I am incredibly thankful for living on the other side of the cross. We know grace. That doesn't mean that sin still doesn't have consequences though. How have you seen this in your own life?

Tomorrow is the end of 2 Kings. This should be interesting.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope July 31, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 23

Prayer: Holy and Perfect God, Thank you for your divine plan. Thank you for not giving up on your people and sending Jesus. Your love and care for us is hard to comprehend. Help us be a better reflection of your love in all we do. Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan. We have been on this really incredible journey, reading 1 & 2 Kings. It's almost over. I don't know about you, but I have found these books to be challenging but filled with truth. They've been challenging because we have encountered so much evil, which often feels unnecessary. But there is truth – God's intolerance for evil and sin but also his mercy. He gives so many chances. But he has his limits, and we are getting close to that place with Judah. But for now, we get to sit with King Josiah, who actually wants to do the right thing. It's so refreshing!

Today's chapter is 2 Kings 23. It becomes evident just how prevalent and extensive the worship of other gods had become in Judah. There were altars to other gods throughout the land, in people's homes, and even in the temple of the Lord! After generations of sinful kings, idolatry had become a regular part of their culture. Josiah cleans everything up. He destroys the high places, he gets rid of every form of pagan worship, including temple prostitutes, pagan priests, and all those horrible altars.

While Josiah was faithful and did all he could to renew the covenant with God, it simply wasn't enough. Despite repeated warnings, the kings and people of Judah had failed to uphold the covenant. They had disobeyed God over and over again. Josiah's best efforts couldn't make up for the hundreds of years of sin. God honored Josiah's faithfulness, however, and ensured that he would not see the destruction to come. We see Josiah killed in this chapter. I don't know about you but I immediately got a sense of foreboding, knowing that things are about to get really bad for Judah. The scene has been set and we are about the watch it play out.

With that, let's start our going deeper with Emmy Roberts.

Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

July 30, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 22

Prayer: Almighty God, I come before you today with a sense of gratefulness. You are Lord of all and yet you care for me. Thank you, Lord. Help me walk through this day with humility and your wisdom; help me represent you well. Lord, in these next few moments of silence, help me gather my scattered thoughts, I want to hear your voice...Come Holy Spirit, and guide this time. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan. We are getting very close to the end of 2 Kings. It's been quite a journey! I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. What have you learned from 1 & 2 Kings?

Today's reading is 2 Kings 22. In this chapter, we meet King Josiah. To say Josiah was the product of a dysfunctional family would be a gross understatement. His grandfather was evil and his father was evil. They worshiped other gods; they did everything wrong in the eyes of Yahweh. His father was so disliked that his own servants end up assassinating him. I can only imagine how terrible it was to live in the palace at the time. Josiah comes to the throne at age eight.

Today's Scripture says that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. I can't help but wonder how Josiah knew to follow Yahweh. We really don't know many details about his life. But somehow, someway, Josiah knew right from wrong and chose to do right. At age eighteen, he starts to rebuild the temple (which had fallen into disrepair after so many sinful kings), and the Book of the Law is discovered. Josiah tears his clothing, a sign of grief and sorrow, when he hears the words of the law read aloud and realizes just how far the nation of Judah had drifted from God's standard.

A couple things jump out at me after reading today's text. First, just because someone's family is dysfunctional, abusive, evil, or lost, doesn't mean they are doomed to the same fate. Josiah's family history was atrocious but he didn't fall into the same pattern as his father and grandfather. We serve a God who redeems people, rescues, provides freedom and a path for true transformation. Maybe you grew up in a really messy family situation; that does not define you! Who you are in Jesus Christ is what truly defines you. Partnering with God, your legacy can be different from your past. There is always hope, always room for redemption.

One other reflection from this text is that the Word of God read aloud has power. When Josiah heard the Book of the Law read for the first time, he was forever changed. He was repentant. He was convicted. His heart was transformed and he had the desire to serve God and lead others to do the same. Never discount the power of God's Word.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

July 29, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 21

Prayer: Abba Father, We come to you today with gratitude. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Thank you for never leaving our side. Thank you for giving us glimpses of how this world is supposed to be. Help us to follow you more closely, Lord. We need your truth. We need your guidance and direction. With every fiber of our being, we need you. As we read your Word today and reflect on it, Lord, speak to us. Help us grow closer to you. Let us know where we are falling short so that we can be the people you have called us to be. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan. We are currently in 2 Kings, getting close to the end of the chapter. In fact, we have four chapters left after today. On August 5, we will be starting a deep dive into Genesis and Exodus. Hope you will join us for that as well.

Today's chapter is 2 Kings 21. After Hezekiah, his son takes over. King Manasseh is almost the opposite of this father. He is really, really evil – worshipping other gods, putting altars to other gods in the Temple, sacrificing human beings, shedding innocent blood, the list goes on and on.

I can't help but wonder how Manasseh got to be so evil. He had a pretty good role model in Hezekiah. Who were his other influences? What was his family life like? He came to the throne at twelve, very young really. Did he have any relationship at all with his dad? When someone is that evil, you can't help wonder how he got that way.

We don't get a lot of details about Manasseh in this chapter. But 2 Chronicles 33 gives more information. In 2 Chronicles, we read about how God's anger led him to allow Manasseh to be taken by the Assyrians into Babylon and he was treated like an animal. It was at that point that Manasseh cries out to the one true God and God hears his cries. God allows him to return to Jerusalem and gave him back the kingdom. It was at that time that Manasseh really changed his ways. He no longer worshiped other gods but only the one true God. He removed the desecration in the temple and restored the proper altar. He appears, at least according to the chronicler, to be a changed man. This seems like such a significant life transformation that one wonders why the author of 2 Kings did not mention it. What are your guesses?

But today we also learn about Amon, Manasseh's son. He is evil through and through, learning from his father's early days. I wonder how much parenting actually went on between a king and his son. It seems that good kings had bad kids and bad kings sometimes had good kids. With so many wives and concubines, I can't help but think most of the parenting was done by the moms and probably hired help. These women were usually pagans, having a huge influence on these kids. The situation was far from ideal. The fate of the nation really fell to men who were often parented by pagans and probably given everything they wanted. Y'all, leadership really matters.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

July 28, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 20

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Help us be productive members of your Kingdom. I know we fall short. I know we mess up. Call us, let us hear your voice, and we will respond. We will say yes. Give us the courage and boldness to be the people you called us to be. We love you, Lord. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan. We are currently in 2 Kings, getting close to the end of the chapter. It's been quite a journey! I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. What have you learned from 1 & 2 Kings?

Today's reading is 2 Kings 20. Hezekiah gets very ill. The Scripture doesn't mention what kind of sickness, but it is assumed he will die. In fact, God says he is going to die. But Hezekiah prays fervently to the Lord and God hears his pleas. He agrees to add fifteen years to King Hezekiah's life.

But then something kind of strange occurs. Envoys from Babylon come to visit Hezekiah. The Scripture says they heard that the king was ill and came bearing gifts. Hezekiah decides to show the Babylonian guests everything in his palace and storehouses. They basically got a thorough tour of all the treasures of Judah. What in the world led Hezekiah to do this? Was he bragging? Was he trying to show them he has just as much wealth as Babylon?

When Isaiah finds out what occurred, he prophecies that there will be a time in which the Babylonians will take everything from the palace and treasuries. Now the Babylonians are paying Hezekiah tribute, but soon it will go the other way. Even some of his descendants will be taken to Babylon to serve the king there. Of course, we know this happens when the Babylonians conquer Judah and carry off their best and brightest into exile in Babylon.

And then we get this reaction from Hezekiah that is totally self-centered. He hears about the coming destruction and all he can say is, "Well, at least it won't happen in my lifetime." There is no sorrow or remorse, just relief that he won't be part of it. Hezekiah started out so well – what has become of him?

Hezekiah's end, like the end of so many kings, points to the truth that human kings are deeply flawed. We need someone stronger, better, someone who can truly save us. We need the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Only he can save us.

Blessings

Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope

July 27, 2026

Scripture: 2 Kings 19

Prayer: Almighty God, Thank you for today and new week. Thank you for providing for us, caring for us, and protecting us. Over thousands upon thousands of years, you have taken care of your people. We give you glory and praise, for who you are. Thank you, most of all, for sending Jesus, who moved into our neighborhood so that we could begin to understand your love. Wow. There are no words to adequately thank you for the sacrifice that saved our lives. Lord Jesus, we love you and we thank you. Help us grow in holiness, continue to transform us so we can be a better reflection of you. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan. What a great summer in the Word it has been. We have been working our way through 1 & 2 Kings. There is so much substance in these books. On the surface, you might not think so, but we learn a lot about God's intolerance for sin, but also his deep mercy for his people. Our reading for today is 2 Kings 19.

In today's chapter, the Assyrians are just chomping at the bit to conquer Judah. King Hezekiah and his leaders are grieving and pleading before the Lord. They have put on ash and sackcloth. Someone wanting to show a deeply repentant heart would often wear sackcloth, sit in ashes, and put ashes on top of his head. Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat's hair, making it quite uncomfortable to wear. The ashes signified desolation and ruin.

In an effort to seek Godly wisdom, they go to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, not surprisingly, says that God will not allow the Assyrians to conquer them. But the Assyrian king taunts them in a letter, asking how in the world they think their God can defeat the mighty Assyria. Hezekiah's reaction is moving. He takes the letter and lays it out before the Lord. Humbly (key word there), Hezekiah asks the Lord to deliver them from the hands of the Assyrians.

And God answers. God is responding to the Assyrians' letter with his own taunts. He is quite clear that he despises the Assyrians' mockery and he will take care of them. Judah will come out on top and it will be clear that God Almighty is the one who accomplished it.

Sure enough, an angel of the Lord ensures that 185,000 Assyrian soldiers die in their camp that night, so many that they must withdraw. And then Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, is killed by his own sons.

Judah is the victor. God has saved them.

There are certain things that really stand out to me in this chapter. The first is that arrogance does not pay. Assyria was so full of themselves that they did not and could not even conceive of anyone beating them. Arrogance and pride will always lead to negative consequences. Humility is difficult but this is what Jesus modeled for us. Is there any arrogance or pride that needs to be rooted out of your life?

Second, I was so impressed and moved by how Hezekiah just laid everything out before the Lord. He knew that Judah was weak and had no power. But God has plenty of power. He simply gave it to the Lord and asked for his help. He surrendered it to God. God hears and responds. How many of us have something we need to surrender to the Lord right now?

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki